Kenneth Smith Sr.

Kenneth Leon Smith Sr., 90, of Salina, Oklahoma (formally of Maxwell, Iowa), passed away on Wednesday, October 26, 2011. Kenneth was born on October 25, 1921 in Numa, Iowa, the son of Clarence M. and Maude E. (Compton) Smith. He married Jeanette Schauper on July 14, 1941 in Rolla, Missouri. They made their home in Maxwell, Iowa for over thirty years. During the time they resided in Maxwell they had the opportunity to host two foreign exchange students, Torben Olsen of Denmark, who returned this year to attend their 70th wedding anniversary, and Enrique Aguia of Brazil. After working for John Deere for thirty years they retired to Sunrise Beach, Missouri where they made a home for the next eighteen years. From there they moved to Newton, Iowa then to Salina, Oklahoma in 2000. Kenneth was a Master Mason; he was Past Worshipful Master of Harold Lodge #455, Maxwell, Iowa. He was also a member of the Locust Grove Covey Lodge #460 and Eastern Star Locust Grove #382. Kenneth was in the U.S. Army serving in Europe during WWII and he also served in the Battle of the Bulge. He worked at Maytag for two years and in 1978 he retired from John Deere after 30 years. He will be so very missed by all who knew and loved him. He enjoyed fishing, wood carving and being a carpenter. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, October 31, 2011 at 1:00 p.m., in the First Christian Presbyterian Church in Pryor, Oklahoma with Reverend Mark Newman officiating. Interment will be in the Maxwell Cemetery at Maxwell, Iowa on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. Visitation is Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the family will receive friends and family at the funeral home on Sunday from 4 - 6 p.m. Memorials may be made to the First Christian Presbyterian Church Building Fund or to the Mayes County Blue Star Mothers in his memory. To leave a personal message to his family please see his web memorial at www.shipmansfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Shipman's Funeral Cremation Service in Pryor, Oklahoma. Kenneth is survived by his wife, Jeanette of the home; two sons, Kenneth Jr. and wife, Peggy of Salina, Oklahoma; Steven and wife Lynn of Wallingford, Connecticut; three daughters, Judy and husband LaVerne Thompson of Elk River, Minnesota; Pamela and husband Dr. Gary Harbin of Kansas City, Missouri; Robin and husband Garry Stoner of Newton, Iowa; 15 grandchildren 27 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence M. and Maude E. Smith; one daughter, Vicki Joy; and one brother, Clarence Lavern Smith.

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