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Kenneth Lavern Smith
Lansing - Born April 18, 1924 in Owosso, Michigan to Harry and Goldie (Olmstead) Smith. Died February 21, 2018 at home in Lansing.
Ken was a true blue University of Michigan alumnus, having graduated in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. He was a brother in the Acacia fraternity, maintaining friendships from that time through many years and travels.
Ken grew up in Owosso. His father died when Ken was twelve years old, and he worked to help his mother and sisters during the Great Depression, at one point delivering papers after school and then setting up bowling pins at night. He spent many summers in Manistique by Indian Lake in the Upper Peninsula with the Smith relations.
Ken served in the U.S. Army during World War II, arriving in France just as the war ended. Returning from war, Ken worked his way through the University of Michigan, where he met nursing student Norma Mackelwich. They married in 1950 and Ken started his career as a salesman with Cutler Hammer in Milwaukee, moving to Detroit, where their children were born. After that they lived in Saginaw, Kansas City, Los Angeles, and Davenport, Iowa. In 1969, Ken and Norma bought the Lansing business Michigan Brass and Electric Company, moving the family here to stay. He developed the business into a successful enterprise with three locations. Retiring and selling the business in 1989, he and Norma continued their many travels around the world. He especially loved Key West, Florida and Palm Springs, California.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law Peter and Anna Mackelwich, and brothers-in-law Albert Mackelwich, James Patterson and Alfred Boulee. He is survived by wife Norma of 67 years, son Kenneth Mack Smith of Lansing, daughters Jana Smith of Ann Arbor and Karen (Joe) Fielek of Okemos, grandsons Joe Fielek III of Madison, WI and Peter Fielek of Chicago, sisters Phyllis Patterson of Estero, FL, Donna Boulee of Ludington, and Carol (Ray) Langston of Florissant, MO, a niece and several nephews, and various cousins in the U.P. and Owosso area. The family wishes to express thanks to caregivers Nikki Kuri, Danielle Schieberl, Brittney Schieberl and Elizabeth Sullivan for many years of gracious and tireless care, and to the many kind and competent medical professionals who cared for Ken over the years.
Funeral services will be held at 1pm on Saturday February 24, 2018, preceded by visitation at 12pm at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, Lansing Chapel, 900 E. Michigan Ave. Interment will follow in Deepdale Memorial Gardens in Lansing.
The family is being served by Gorsiline Runciman Funeral Home in Lansing. Online condolences may be expressed at www.grlansing.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes.
ALOHA to you all , WOW , a year has passed already , ken will always be one of the friends i had the most respect for . he was an AWESOME boss & friend . - call any time 1-808-328-9977 jefrey l. garrison
jeffrey l. garrison
Friend
February 16, 2019
ALOHA NORMA , JANA KENNY MAC & KAREN
I am so'ooo sorry for your loss .
ken was the best boss i ever had . and also a dear friend , i've always had a huge respect for ken for how fairly he treated people .
my last visits to your house w/my mom & my brother in 2007 & 2007 are special memories !
i would love to chat 1-808-328-9977
SINCERELY jeffrey l. garrison
jeffrey garrison
February 27, 2018
My deepest condolences to the family ken you will be missed you were such a wonderful man so kind I enjoyed my time with you and Norma these last 5 months. I enjoyed all your stories and I will miss you and your laughter may God welcome you with open arms & the angles rejoice . May the Lord Jesus Christ shine his light and love upon the grieving family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all .
Brenda Pierce
February 25, 2018
Condolences to the family. He hired my ex Jeff Garrison at Michigan Brass and he always treated him like a part of the family. We visited Ken & Norma in 2006 when Jeff was in Michigan and were warmly received. I don't think I'd seen Ken since the late 70's and it was great to see him in such good spirits. I'm sure he will be missed by all who knew him.
Raemie Wright Garrison
February 24, 2018
Norma, Mack, Jana and Karen, Our thoughts are with you as you move from grief to celebration of your loved one. That day will surely come.
With sympathy,
3600 Muirfield Dr
John R & Betty J Sanford
February 24, 2018
Norma, Mack, Jana and Karen. I am so sorry for your loss. He was such a wonderful man and I am honored I was able to know him, even if only a short time. I really enjoyed listening to him tell his stories about work, his travels and of course U of M. He will truly be missed but now he's now looking out for us all. God bless.
Laurie Kienitz
February 23, 2018
Ken was like a father to me that I never had. I loved him dearly and will forever hold him in my heart. He always had a smile even through difficult times, always willing to extend a helping hand and a loving father and husband to Norma.
May God open His Heavenly kingdom to Ken and give the family the strength through this time. God has a special place for Ken on the Heavenly Golf Course..a special club for sure.
We will all miss Ken and all those who Ken touched will forever be grateful.
Forever remembering you.
God Bless
Rick Pryce
Rick Pryce
February 22, 2018
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Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes900 East Michigan Ave, Lansing, MI 48912
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