Smith, Rodney Ira -- 1920 - 2007

SMITH, HARRIS, LOFTSGARD, KRAMBEER, LENTH, CHEVALIER, NIMS, LANDSGARD

Posted By: volunteer
Date: 1/19/2008 at 11:25:37

Source: Decorah Newspapers, Friday, November 30, 2007
Funeral services for Rodney Smith were held Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007, at 11 a.m. with the Reverend Gary Catterson officiating. Special music was provided by Beverly Bacon, organist and a duet consisting of Arthur and Clarence Amundson. The Casket bearers were grandsons Alan Krambeer, Tony Smith, Randy Lenth, Ricky Lenth, Ryan Lenth, Brett Chevalier, Jason Smith, Cory Nims, Lucas Nims, Carson Landsgard, Tyson Landsgard. Honorary Casket Bearers were granddaughters Debra (Kevin) Kerr, Becky (Jamie) Colsch, Angela (Dave) Schroeder, Wendy Taylor, Christine Smith, Sandra Smith, Danielle Chevalier, Treva (Jason) Waters, Traci (Thor) Douglas, Tina Alexander, Stacy (Gabe) Lindsey, Chrystal (David) Wilke, Holly (Jonas) Zimmerman. Interment was in the Postville Cemetery. The Schutte Funeral and Cremation Service of Postville was in charge of arrangements.

Rodney Ira Smith was born Nov. 19, 1920, at Postville, to Lester Dean and Dora Irene (Harris) Smith. He passed away Saturday, Nov. 24, 2007, in Veterans Memorial Hospital at Waukon, at the age of 87 years.

Rodney attended school in Postville and graduated in 1938. He farmed with his parents for several years. On June 18, 1941 he was married to Josephine Norma Loftsgard in the Marion Lutheran Church at Gunder, Iowa. To this union eight children were born. They purchased a farm northeast of Postville in Post Township in 1945, where they farmed until 1963.

Rodney began a career in the Insurance and Real Estate business. He was an Agent for Farm Bureau Insurance from 1957 to 1962 and opened his own agency in 1963. Rodney and Jo moved to Postville in 1970 from the farm near the Yellow River. In 1978 he became the Secretary Manager of the Winneshiek Mutual Insurance Association in Decorah, Iowa, until retiring in 1988.

Rodney was interested in the Postville community and enjoyed his time spent in public service in various capacities. He served on the local School Board for 18 years, the City Council, and as Mayor of Postville for 16 years. He was a member of Community Presbyterian Church.

He is survived by his wife, Josephine, Monona, three sons and five daughters: Margaret (Edward) Krambeer, Luana, David (Carolyn) Smith, McGregor, IA, Donald Smith, Chaska, MN, Marilyn (James) Lenth, Castalia, Mavis Chevalier, Bloomington, MN, Douglas (Patricia) Smith, Ankeny, IA, Melody (Gary) Nims, Drake, CO, Marsha (Gary) Landsgard, Postville; 24 grandchildren, 50 great grandchildren, a brother, Keith (Rose Marie) Smith, Postville, and a sister-in-law, Eleanor Loftsgard, Elgin, IA.

He is preceded in death by his parents, a granddaughter, Brenda Krambeer, a daughter-in-law, Linda Smith, a brother-in-law, Orlando Loftsgard, a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Aldora and Myron Anderson, a niece, Connie Gelo, two nephews, Bruce Smith and Wayne Loftsgard, and a great nephew, Rhett Gelo.

Rodney enjoyed having his family around him and participating in the activities of their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. They loved the time spent at their cabin in Lansing and their winters in Mesa, Arizona. For many years Rodney was Santa for his children, grandchildren, and other families at Christmas time.