Steven William Smith

STEVEN WILLIAM “Bill” SMITH February 23, 1952 – February 8, 2018    Steven William “Bill” Smith, age 65, of Callaway, Minnesota, peacefully entered Heaven on Thursday, February 8, 2018 where he joined his wife, Jane who had died just four months earlier. Bill was a patient at the Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, North Dakota where his final days were spent with his loved ones at his side.    Bill was born on February 23, 1952 in the ditch at the intersection of County Rd #225 and Mary Yellow Head Road where his dad, Harry J. “Hank” Smith had slid off the icy road while in a rush to bring his wife, Clara “Marie” (Daskam) to the White Earth hospital to deliver their baby. Of course, Bill loved adventure and decided to be born there in the car in the ditch. Bill attended grade school at the Pine Point School in Ponsford and then went on to attend high school in Park Rapids where he was a member of the Class of 1970. After high school, Bill entered the United States Marine Corps where he proudly served his country during the Vietnam War. After receiving his honorable discharge he returned home and on Sept. 8, 1971, he was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Jane Marie Ruhnke. Their union was blessed with five children: Melissa “Missy”, Rori, Heather, Teri and Steven Jr., “BJ”. Shortly into their marriage, Bill and Jane ventured to California where they lived for a time. They returned home to the Ponsford/Park Rapids area to raise their family amongst their family and friends. Bill and Jane worked side by side in operating several restaurants in the Park Rapids and Detroit Lakes area. When younger, Bill was an enthusiastic athlete who loved playing softball and he played in a softball league for a number of years. He also enjoyed playing golf and participated in a bowling league for many years. He loved the forests and lakes of northern MN where he enjoyed deer hunting and fishing. Later in his life, he kept his competitive edge by playing cards and cribbage with his family and he always played to win. He also enjoyed making regular trips to the casino. Above all, Bill took great pride in the lives of his children, grandchildren and his precious three great grandchildren. His life was deeply saddened and forever changed by the sudden and unexpected death of his soulmate and wife, Jane on October 9th of this past year. His family takes great solace in the knowledge that mom and dad are together again never to be parted.    Bill will be lovingly remembered by his four daughters: Melissa “Missy” (Roger “Randy”) Weaver of Park Rapids, MN; Rori Koch of Mpls.,MN, Heather Rosing of Detroit Lakes, MN, Teri (Ryan “Sonny” Englund) Smith of Callaway, MN and his son, Steven W. “BJ” (Desi Jackson) Smith, Jr., of Richwood, MN; 13 grandchildren and three great grandchildren; 7 brothers and sisters: Louise “Tiny” (Don) Ryan, Marie “Sobig” (Wes) Hanson, Henry “Jr” Smith, Gordon “Gordy” (Chris) Smith, Rosalie Azzolina, Lorraine (Andy) Fallas and Beverly Smith; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.    He was preceded in death by his parents; his precious wife, Jane and eight siblings: Manley, Richard, Alvin, Yvonne, Delores, Leonard, Gloria and Margaret “Dolly”.    Funeral services will be held 11 AM Saturday, February 17, 2018 at the Old Pine Point School near Ponsford, MN. Mike Swan and Coke Smith will officiate. Special Music will be performed by Bill’s nephew, “Lil” Ricky Smith and the Mahnomen Singers. “Dancing In The Sky” and “On Eagles Wings” will be sung by Lynn Just. Bill’s casket bearers will be his grandsons: Matthew Weaver, Kenneth Weaver, Lucas Weaver, Jon Koch, Jessie Koch and Anthony Murray. The honorary casket bearers are the rest of Bill’s grandchildren: Trista Larson, Ashlee Rosing, Cailey Rosing, Madelyn Rosing, Karter Smith, Kinsley Smith, Baby “K” Smith, Kyle Larson, Thea Larson and RJ Koch. Military honors will be provided by the Star Of The North Marine Corps League. Interment will be made next to his wife, Jane at the Greenwood Cemetery in Park Rapids. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 PM Friday, Feb. 16th at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home and will continue on Saturday beginning one hour prior to the services at the school.