Ronald Dean SMITH

SMITH, LUICK, STITES, FARMER, CAGLEY

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/17/2009 at 19:00:49

02/17/2009
Belmond Independent, Iowa

Ronald "Ronnie" Smith, 70, Belmond, died at his home Saturday, February 14, 2009 of a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, February 19 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church west of Belmond with Rev. James Gochenouer officiating. Burial will be in the Belmond Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at Andrews Funeral Home and continue an hour prior to the service at church Thursday.

Ronald Dean was born May 15, 1938 at Belmond, the son of Lavern and Marion (Luick) Smith. He graduated from Belmond High School in 1956. He later attended college in Marshalltown and studied German at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. Ron also served in the United States Army for a time. Ron married Karen Stites of Clear Lake on November 30, 1963 at Zion Lutheran Church in Clear Lake. He was the owner of Smith Insulation of Belmond for more than 30 years, a commercial insulating business that took him to construction jobs all over Iowa. Ron enjoyed nature and the outdoors and was especially fond of trapping, hunting and fishing. You'd often find him out walking, and he relished every moment he was able to spend on his land and other wildlife areas. Ron also loved to polka, traveling to polka fests throughout northern Iowa and southern Minnesota. Ron was proud of his German heritage and his link to the Luick family of Belmond. He looked forward to special times with his family and granddaughter Kelsey. Ron was always ready for a good visit, whether it included family history, a favorite hunting or fishing story, or a discussion on the latest in trapping and hunting innovations. He was a longtime member of the Iowa Trapper's Association and the National Trapper's Association.

Ronald was preceded in death by his parents; brother Larry Smith; and special aunt Mattie Farmer. Ron is survived by his wife; son Thad Dean and special friend Christina Cagley of Garner; daughter Nicole Kay Smith of Garner; beloved granddaughter and special polka partner Kelsey Lynn Smith; brother Richard Smith of Belmond; five nephews; and three nieces.