James "Jim" Dean Smith 1957-2012

SMITH GODFREY KLEIHAUER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/31/2012 at 22:29:33

Sioux City Journal
5 December 2012

Jim Smith, 55, of Correctionville died Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, from injuries suffered in an airplane accident near Correctionville.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Cherokee, Iowa. The Rev. Kathy Wicks will officiate. Burial will be in Sunset View Cemetery, Washta, Iowa. Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. today, with the family present 5 to 7 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Greenwood-Schubert Funeral Home in Cherokee. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.greenwoodfuenral.com.

James "Jim" Dean Smith, the son of Donald and Pauline (Godfrey), was born on Oct. 18, 1957, in Cherokee, Iowa. His childhood years were spent in the Quimby and Washta, Iowa area, where he attended school. He graduated from Willow High School in 1976. After graduation, Jim worked for his parents at Smith Feed Yards near Washta.

On Feb. 6, 1982, Jim was united in marriage to Jolene Kleihauer at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Cherokee. In 1989, Jim and Jolene became partners with his parents at Smith Feed Yards. They managed the feedlot and farm operation until 2001. After the sale of the feedlot, they continued to farm and started JJ Smith Trucking.

Jim was an active member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Cherokee. He enjoyed camping, playing cards with friends and family, and disc golf during family gatherings. He attended many farm and truck auctions with his buddies and had a true love and passion for farming and raising cattle.Vacationing and traveling with his family meant a lot to him, and he always tried to spend as much time with his children as possible. He watched reruns of "Seinfeld" every chance he could get. Always mechanically inclined, as a boy he built go-carts and enjoyed tinkering on and riding motorcycles, four-wheelers, and snowmobiles. He played football, ran track, and wrestled in high school, and continued playfully wrestling and horsing around with friends and family. Most of all, Jim enjoyed time spent with his loved ones. He was known for many things, but more than anything he will be remembered as a dependable, generous and compassionate man that would do anything for anyone in need.

He will lovingly be remembered by his wife, Jolene Smith of Correctionville; four children, James Smith of Sioux City, Justin Smith, Josh Smith, and Jasmine Smith, all of Correctionville; his parents, Donald and Pauline Smith of Sioux City; two sisters, Loretta (Jack) Powell of Phoenix, Ariz., and Lois (Bruce) Ramaekers of Sioux City; sisters-in-law, Marlene (Jim) Ebert of Marcus, Iowa, Lynette (Pat) Hyndman of Cherokee and Diane (Dean) Halstrom of Meriden, Iowa; brother-in-law, Mark Kleihauer of Sioux City and his special friend, Mona Rosdail of Spirit Lake, Iowa; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives; and many, many friends.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Duane Smith.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Correctionville Fire Department or the Mercantile Grocery Store in Correctionville.