Smith, Ronald Lee 1931-2025

SMITH, PEBBLES, MANNETTER

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 10/6/2025 at 13:08:58

Ronald Lee Smith
February 27, 1931 - October 1, 2025

U.S. Veteran

Ronald Lee Smith, 94 of Le Mars, IA, passed away peacefully at the Good Samaritan Society of Le Mars on Wednesday, October 1, 2025.

Funeral Service will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, October 6, 2025 at Mauer-Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. Burial will follow at Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitation with the family present will begin at 4:00 p.m. and continue until a Time of Sharing at 6:30 p.m., all on Sunday, October 5, 2025 at Mauer-Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. Memorials may be directed to a charity of your choice.

Ron was born on February 27, 1931 in Le Mars to Ray and Phyllis (Pebbles) Smith. He grew up in Le Mars, graduating from high school in 1948 before attending Western Union College (now Westmar College) for one year. It was at college that he met the love of his life, Ina Mae Mannetter.

Ron enlisted in the Air Force, maintaining a long-distance relationship with Ina Mae until they were married in Hubbard, Iowa in 1952. While Ron was stationed at his base in Louisiana, Ina Mae worked for Goodyear Tire.

After his honorable discharge, Ron and Ina Mae returned to Le Mars. Ron worked at and later purchased Vollmar Shoe Store. Ina Mae also became a successful entrepreneur, working for and later buying Becker Tax Service, which she sold to their daughter, Susan, in 1981. Ron and Ina Mae retired in 1986.

Ron and Ina Mae were blessed with two daughters, Sharon (Smith) Cargin and Susan (Smith) Betsworth. The family enjoyed a rich life together, which often revolved around Ron’s love for the outdoors. He was an avid outdoorsman who trained Labradors and loved gardening, especially flowers. His artistic side shone through his hobbies: he painted decoys, painted realistic animals on rocks, and enjoyed many other artistic projects. Ina Mae enjoyed many hobbies, with reading as her more treasured pastime.

In the mid-1970’s, Ron and Ina Mae began spending their summers at Lake Winnibigoshish, Minnesota, a spot where they had previously vacationed with their girls for years. They purchased a cabin just a short walk from Judd’s Resort, where they quickly made lifelong friends. Many wonderful summers were spent with the pine trees at their back door and the lake out front. The cabin was a welcome spot for family to visit and enjoy the unique charm of the Northwoods – complete with crusty old fishermen, unusual neighbors, bears, hummingbirds, and wonderful people.

After selling the cabin, Ron and Ina Mae moved back to Le Mars full time, spending time with family and continuing to enjoy their hobbies.

Ron is survived by his two daughters: Sharon (Richard) Cargin and Susan Betsworth of Le Mars. He also leaves behind six grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren, and is remembered by his former son-in-law, Paul Betsworth. His surviving children and grandchildren are: Luke (Stefanie) Cargin and their children: Emily, Issac, Abigail, and Oliva of Le Mars, Levi (Libby) Cargin and their children: Barrett, Grace, and Emma of Le Mars, Sarah Cargin of Le Mars, Jacob (Lindsey) Betsworth and their children: Vincent and Wyatt of Papillion, NE, Harold Betsworth of Westfield, IA, and Anna (Joel) Betrand and their children, Charlee and Axton of Hinton, IA. He is also survived by his sister, Janice Gaul of Le Mars and sister-in-law, Joyce Larson of Hawarden, IA.

Ron is preceded in death by his wife, Ina Mae; parents, Ray and Phyllis Smith; grandson, Tim Cargin; siblings: Bev (Jr) Kowalke and Ray Smith; siblings in law: Mavis (Clive) Cook, Richard Gaul, and Dean Mannetter; niece, Kathy Sitzmann; and nephew, Steve Kowalke.