Gilbert Smith

Gilbert Lloyd Smith, age 98, passed on to heaven, Monday, May 13th at the Tieszen Memorial Home in Marion, SD. His children Edwin and Susan were at his side.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 5th from 4-7 pm. A memorial service will follow at 7:00 pm. Both will be at the Tieszen Memorial Home.  On Thursday June 6th, at 11:00 am, a church service will be held at Komstad Covenant Church in Beresford, SD. Internment will be at the church cemetery.

Funeral service will be livestreamed and viewed later at the church facebook page,  please join at: www.facebook.com/komstadcov

Gilbert was born to Lloyd and Lucille Smith on March 17th, 1926. He grew up on a farm near Manchester, Iowa. Gilbert loved to recall many pleasant adventures from his country days, but he didn’t appreciate when, in the 8th grade, his family moved to the city of Minneapolis, MN. Frustrated with city life and desiring to serve in World War II, he got permission from his folks, by promising to get his GED when he returned, and joined the Army Air Corps when he was 16.

After 6 years of military service, Gilbert got an honorable discharge. He then earned his GED and went on to attend Augsburg and later Seattle Pacific College. He graduated with several degrees while working full-time as a mechanic for Northwest Airlines. While at Seattle Pacific, Gilbert also met Mabel. She so  impressed him that he regularly flew his Cessna 140 airplane from Washington to Montana to visit her while they were dating. Gilbert and Mabel began their more than 68 years of marriage on July 22nd, 1955 in Great Falls, MT.

After marriage, Gilbert and Mabel moved to Bloomington, MN. Gilbert attended graduate school at the University of MN, while continuing to work at Northwest Airlines. After almost 25 years at NWA, Gilbert used some of his many other skills to work at places like, the Saint Paul Employers Association and the University of MN. Then he ended his career by working about 35 years for the Minneapolis Community Development Agency.  Gilbert enjoyed working but was also a proud father to Edwin and Susan and a grandfather to Benjamin, Abbie, Caleb and Lydia.

Gilbert was a wonderfully talented, organized, creative, highly intelligent planner and visionary. He enjoyed story telling about his many fascinating life adventures.  He also liked to take his family camping and to visit many other interesting sites. Gardening was also a favorite past time. He really enjoyed horticultural experimentation along with living the country life. Throughout the years, he took his family on frequent trips to their farm near Marion, SD and eventually was able to retire there. Gilbert used his many talents to guide his family, and serve God and his country.

Above all, Gilbert wanted to live his life so he would not distract people from following God. He believed that Jesus was the only way to God and heaven. His life verse was Psalms 19:14 “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.”

Gilbert was preceded in death by his parents Lloyd and Lucille Smith,  brother Donald Smith, sister-in-law Alice Smith, sister-in-law Abbie Riley, and grandchildren Benjamin and Lydia Kes. Those left to cherish his memory include, brother-in-law Austin Riley, children Edwin Smith and Susan Kes (husband Doug) and grandchildren Abbie and Caleb Kes.

For Video Tribute by his granddaughter Abbie Kes please click on the link:

https://www.canva.com/design/DAGG6OiEMS8/Cvy7V_UDeNQIWM4K9J6rHw/watch?utm_content=DAGG6OiEMS8&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=editor