Charles F. SMITH

SMITH, MORNES, LALFLER, KENJALO, TRUDEL, HAUGLAND, DIBBLE

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 12/12/2015 at 00:34:24

August 9, 1940 --- August 5, 2015

Charles F. Smith of Deer River passed away peacefully on Aug. 5 2015 at Grand Itasca Hospital, surrounded by his loving children.

Charles was born in 1940 in Hardy, Iowa. Growing up on a farm, Charles was a tinkerer. He drove truck, worked as a carpenter, lock smith, sold Tupperware and Watkins. He was employed at United Sash and Door and lastly, before retirement, as maintenance supervisor at Central Square Mall where he made many friends and touched many lives. Dad was very active in his church and with his church family, taking pride in his duties there. Dad loved gardening, always sharing his bounty, keeping his yard immaculate, fishing, jigsaw puzzles, but most of all his woodworking. He made all his children gifts of many kinds – candlestick holders, cradles, stools and bunk beds, three high. He also made various things for the church. Dad could be counted on to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents: Marlin and Francis; wives, Johanna and Delores; brothers, Dennis and Marion; sisters, Marlene, Charlotte and Dorla; and grandson, Tyler Patrick. Charles is survived by three daughters, Eve Lalfler of Alabama, Becky (Dan) Mornes and Fay (Donny) Kenjalo, both of Grand Rapids; sons, David (Sandy) Smith of Eden Valley, Minn., and Allen (Kendra) Smith of Calumet; step-daughters, Rebekah (Tom) Trudel and Pamela Haugland of Deer River and Betsy Smith of Fort Cobb Okla.; brother, Everet Smith of Balsam; sisters, Cindy Smith of San Antonio, Texas and Betty Dibble of Citrus Heights, Calif., and a total of 62 grand and great-grandchildren.

Words cannot express how we, his children, will miss his encouragement, steadfastness, guidance, sense of humor, that twinkle in his eyes and his unconditional love for us all. Services will take place on August 11, 2015 at 2:30 at Calar Lutheran Church, Deer River, MN.

Grand Rapids Herald-Review (MN) - August 7, 2015