Chris Smit 1905-1984

SMIT, POTT

Posted By: Joleen Vande Kamp (email)
Date: 3/7/2010 at 16:37:32

Born June 24, 1905 Hospers, IA
Died January 7, 1984 Bellingham, WA
Services Bethel Christian Reformed Church
Officiating Rev Kenneth Havert
Vocalists Bethel Singing Men
Organist Jenny7 VanRy
Casketbearers Robert Smit Roger Smit, Ralph Smit,Gary Moorlag, Randy Smit, Chris Smit, Ron Moorlag
Interment Monumenta Cemetery
Chris Smit, whose parents were Jim and Wilhelmina (Pott) Smit was born in Hospers, IA on June 25, 1905. He grew up on his father's farm, learning to work at a very early age. He often said, "My father taught me one thing and that was "work". In his early twenties, he went to Columbus, MT to visit relatives and to find a job.
On March 7, 1927 he married Jessie Zylstra in MT.
They began farming there, in the settlement north of Columbus. In August of 1931 the family left MT, spending the next several months with relatives in Iowa and MN. In the spring of 1932, Chris found employment at Crookston, MN where he worked on a farm for John Perry for nine years.
After living there for 6 years, the family moved to a farm 3 miles NW of Brooten. In the spring of 1944, Chris bought a farm 2 miles 2 of town and farmed there until 1962 when they moved to Lynden. Altho they moved to town, this did not mean retirement for Chris. he worked as a hired man for Jack Apple for nine years. For the last five years he was caretake of the Lynden Cemetery and a faithful volunteer for the Mother's Club Paper Drive.
For the last several years he had difficulty walking due to a nerve injury but otherwise was in seemingly good health. He was taken to the hospital on Dec. 18 for tests and was diagnosed as a bleeding ulcer. Later his condition was diagnosed as cancer. Chris passed away on January 7, 1984 at the age of 78 years. He is survived by his wife, Jessie, two sons, James and wife Trina, Henry and his wife, Jean;one daughter, Edith and husband John Moorlag; 15 grandchildren;21 great grandchildren, 4 brothers, Joe, Sam and William Smit, and Frank Klynsma, all of Iowa.
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