Wayne Arnold Smith, 87, of Jefferson passed away Thursday, May 9, 2019.
Funeral services will be at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Jefferson Wednesday, May 15 at 2 p.m. The visitation will be held at Hastings Funeral Home in Jefferson Tuesday, May 14 from 5-7 p.m. The Knight of Columbus will lead a rosary beginning at 5 p.m. Interment will be at the Catholic cemetery in Jefferson.
Wayne Arnold Smith was born May 28, 1931, in Pocahontas, Iowa, to Lawrence James and Rena Hanchett Smith.
Wayne graduated high school in 1948 from Pocahontas. Wayne and Isabel Kacmarynski were married Sept. 1, 1951. They started their married life in Emmetsburg, Iowa.
Wayne was inducted into the U.S. Army, and they moved to Alexandria, Va., in 1952, where he worked as a linotype operator during the Korean War.
They relocated to Jefferson in 1955, where he worked at the Bee and Herald and continued to operate a linotype for 10 years.
Wayne later went to work for Farm Bureau insurance as field underwriter. He worked there for 25 years until his retirement in 1990.
Wayne enjoyed woodworking and rehabbing furniture. He found many wooden treasures to restore while traveling around rural Iowa. He spent many hours in his workshop and enjoyed making gifts for his many family members and friends.
Wayne and Isabel belonged to Lake Side Golf Course for many years. Besides golfing, he took pride in mowing and looking for stray golf balls.
Wayne felt blessed to go on the Honor Flight to Washington D.C. in 2014. He cherished the memories of that day.
Wayne also enjoyed crossword puzzles and volunteering at church.
He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion and St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.
Wayne is survived by Isabel, his loving wife of 67 years. From their union they had seven children, Diane Lyon of Ames, Kathryn (John) Evers of Ankeny, Denise (Steve) Andrusyk of Fort Collins, Colo., Janet (Harry) Koehler of St Louis, Mo., Timothy (Jody) Smith of Jacksonville, Fla., Christine (Steve) Finn of Bettendorf and David (Ginger) Smith of Rocklin, Calif. Grandchildren include Jay (Tina) Lyon, Richard Lyon, Nicole Oliver, Elisha (Carl) Kubalsky, Aja (J. R.) Gregory, Lucas (Molly) Andrusyk, Eric (Keri) Koehler, Alex (Cailin) Smith, Allison (Ben) Baker, Kayla Finn, Sari Finn, Emma Smith and Maddeline Smith. Great-grandchildren are Taylor Lyon, Jack Lyon, Maya Lyon, Dobry Kruszka, Scout Kruszka, Priya Kubalsky, Alina Kubalsky, Addy Gregory, Barrett Gregory, Cohen Gregory, Fritz Koehler, Charles Koehler, Sage Smith, Leo Smith, Ryan Smith, Mae Smith, Ryland Baker, Wyatt Baker, Landon Baker and one on the way. Wayne is also survived by his sister-in-law, Sylvia Harms, and many nieces and nephews.
Wayne is preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence James and Rena Hanchett Smith; brothers, Robert Smith, Lester Smith, Larry Smith, Virgil Smith and Dale Smith; and son-in-law, Jack Lyon.
In lieu of flowers you may direct your memorials to Brushy Creek Honor Flight, 320 S. 12th St., Fort Dodge, IA 50501.
