Howard B. Smith

Howard B. Smith, 86 of Woodlake, Benson County, ND died on Saturday, May 23, 2009 at MedCenter One Health Care Center, Bismarck, ND. Mass of Christian Burial for Howard will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, St. Michael, ND. Fr. Brian Moen and Fr. Charles Leute O.P. will concelebrate the Mass with private interment at the Howard Smith Ranch. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Friday from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. and at St. Michael’s Catholic Church from 5:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. at the church. Serving as Casket Bearers for Howard will be Jason Smith, Luke Smith, Travis Sukauskas, Riley Smith, Matt Hoff, Lane Meyer, Hadley Smith and Tyrus Smith. Honorary Bearers will be all of Howard’s many dear friends and neighbors. Howard was born on April 8, 1923, the son of Alexander and Mary Pearl (Lang) Smith at Woodlake. He attended school at St. Michael’s Mission. Howard married his childhood sweetheart, Frances Medved on September 12, 1944. Together they made their home at Woodlake for 64 years where they lovingly raised their nine children. Howard ranched all of his life in addition to working at Concrete Sectional in Devils Lake for 35 years. He was a truck driver for many years and was promoted to plant supervisor, retiring in 1982. Howard was a member of the Eagles Lodge, Fort Totten Trail Riders Club and the Teamsters Union. He served on the Woodlake Township Board and the FmHA Board for many years. Howard’s favorite pastime was driving his many teams of horses around the ranch, sharing his skills with his sons and grandsons. He participated in many parades with his wife, team and buggy. He will always be remembered for the family sleigh and wagon rides. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife, attending many dances and fiddle festivals, playing cards and gardening. His family and friends always enjoyed his great sense of humor. He was well known in the community and helped many people. Howard was proud of and devoted to his family and worked hard to provide for them. We will be forever thankful for passing on his family values to all his generations. He taught us respect, love, faith in God and the value of a hard day’s work. Sundays were always set aside for family and Church. He will forever be watching over his family from his beautiful Smith Ranch, a place that we will always call home. May he rest in peace within God’s arms now that he is truly home. He will be greatly missed by all whose lived he touched. “Your strength, wisdom and character will remain a part of who we are. You will be forever in our hearts. We love you Dad.” From your family. Howard is survived by his loving family; his wife of 64 years, Frances; children, Darrel Smith and his wife, Noreen of Tokio, ND; Debbie Sukauskas and her husband, Ron of Bismarck, ND; Rodney Smith and his wife, Kathy of Woodlake; Terry Smith and his wife, Jane also of Woodlake; Bonnie Hoff and her husband, Kevin of Rapid City, SD; Duane Smith and his wife, Robin of Woodlake; Dennis Smith of Tokio; Richard Smith also Woodlake and Lisa Olson and her husband, Troy of Phoenix, Arizona; Seventeen Grandchildren: Michelle Meyer and husband Lynn, Holly Smith; Travis Sukauskas and fiancé Tana Wagner; Jason Smith and wife Candy, Angie Smith, Amanda Geiger and husband Jeff; Lucus Smith and fiancé Melissa Schrader; Sarah Smith-Warren and husband Jake, Liz Smith and fiancé Brady Fritel, Laura Smith, Tyrus Smith and Olivia Smith; Matt Hoff and Katie Hoff; Riley Smith and Hadley Smith; Erica Olson. Nine Great Grandchildren: Lane, Jacob and Brody Meyer; Dylan and Alexis Smith; Kinsey and Chase Swenson; Landon Geiger; Julian Smith. Brothers: Alfred Smith of Devils Lake and Larry (Teresa) Smith of Federal Way, Washington; Sisters: Sr. Cecelia Smith, Crookston, MN; Dede Markland, Tacoma, Washington; Winnie Bartlett also of Tacoma; Alice Kimmerly, Sheyenne, ND; Julie Graham also of Tacoma; Aunt: Madeline Landry of Tacoma; Many nieces, nephews and their families also survive. Howard was preceded in death by his parents, Alex and Mary; brothers, Ambrose, Edward and Francis Smith; brothers-in-law, Bob Bartlett, Gene Markland and Art Kimmerly and sister-in-law, Darlys Smith;