Donald Leslie SMITH

Born November 24, 1919 Died quietly with his loving family around him 12/30/13. Preceded in death by his parents Walter and Edna, beloved wife of 65 years Helen, and brother and sister-in-law, Warren and Evelyn. Survived by children Karen (Michael) Kingsbury, Greg, Jeff (Joyce Riestenberg-Smith), Stacey (Richard) Kohner, and Linda (David) Arcand, as well as six grandchildren, David, Brian, Lynn, Laura, Thomas, and Peter, six great grandchildren, and a nephew and nieces. A veteran of World War II, Don piloted B-17's out of Italy. His plane was shot down, and he was a POW for the last 15 months of the war. Back home, he worked in banking, first for the First National Bank of St Paul and finally retiring from National City bank of Minneapolis in 1989. He was always very involved in community activities, first with the St Paul Jay-Cees and the Winter Carnival, and later with the United Way and as a school volunteer. Don made friends easily, and most friendships lasted a lifetime. Don loved his family, especially his wife Helen. They loved traveling together, taking regular trips to Hawaii, Europe, Washington State, the North Shore, or anywhere a friend wanted to go. He also enjoyed a good game of cards. He and Helen played bridge with the Innijiska Club for over 50 years. Even in his last year, Don still played bridge twice a week, as well as numerous games of Gin and Cribbage. An avid reader, he was always fascinated with history. Don was the Eternal Optimist. He always said he felt he'd lived through the most interesting time in human history, though he worried how the world would be for his great-grandchildren. Don was a wonderful man, and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. A memorial service will be held at St Stephens Lutheran Church in West St Paul Friday, 1/24/14, with a visitation at 10:00 and a service at 11:00. The family requests any memorials be made to Second Harvest, The Humane Society, or The Friends of the library.