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Michael Smith Obituary
Memorial services will be held 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, at First Presbyterian Church, 100 S. Pierce Ave., Mason City, with the Rev. Paul Collier officiating. Inurnment at Rock Grove Cemetery in Nora Springs will be held at a later date.
A gathering of friends and family will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., with a Masonic service at 6:30 p.m. Memorials may be directed to the Michael J. Smith Memorial Fund in care of the family.
Mike, a son of John L. and Doris M. (Hagen) Smith, attended school and graduated in Nora Springs. He was confirmed at St. Luke's Lutheran Church.
After finally convincing the love of his life, Diane "Annie" DePrenger to marry him, they were wed Dec. 28, 1969.
Mike was a dedicated railroad man, and worked as a locomotive engineer for nearly 40 years with the Minneapolis, Northfield & Southern, Chicago & Northwestern, and Union Pacific.
Mike's greatest joys were his family, particularly his grandchildren. He enjoyed fixing anything that was broken and passing on that knowledge to others. He also enjoyed classic cars. Mike was a member of the Rock Sirius Masonic Lodge and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.
Mike is survived by his wife, Annie Smith; children, Kelly (Paul) Arickx, Brandy Smith (Jon Branstad), and Stacy (Charles) Hoard; grandchildren, Emma, Samuel, Sadie, Margaret, Ava, Eric, Allie and Kayla; siblings, Ron Smith, Jae Lea (Gary) True, Randy (Candy) Smith and Terry (Sharri) Smith; brother-in-law, Dan DePrenger (Barbara Forbes); mother-in-law, Donna DePrenger; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John L. "Bud" and Doris M. Smith; and father-in-law, Donald K. DePrenger.
Major Erickson Funeral Home, Mason City, is in charge of arrangements, 641-423-0924.
www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com
Memories and Condolences
for Michael Smith
karen Payne
January 27, 2009
No Last Goodbye
Why say a last goodbye to you?
You aren't that far away, it's true.
You are gone; but only for a while.
Soon, again, I'll see that smile.
A friend beyond the simple kind
Who sees into my heart, my mind.
Who understands when things go awry,
Is sympathetic when a girl needs to cry.
In the meantime, you will always be
Locked safely in my memory.
A shoulder to cry on,
A hand to cling to,
Some one to laugh with,
Some one to sing to.
There will be no last goodbye from me.
I will hold you in my reverie.
Aunt karen
1-26-2009
Michelle Stiles
January 25, 2009
Annie & Girls,
I just found out about Mike's passing and wanted to let you know how sorry I am. My heart goes out to you.
Jerry Biekert
January 24, 2009
I am sorry this is late as I just found out.. Mike was a good man and I learned a lot about being an engineer from him..
karen Payne
January 24, 2009
A memory of Mike Smith
Thursday afternoon I attended a Memorial Service for my beloved nephew, Mike Smith~~~Better known as "Smitty" to his friends, which are many.
Mike had fought a valiant battle with colon cancer, living, in spite of it,
for three years!! And Mike spent that time very well, quality time with his daughters, intimate time with the love of his life,
his precious Annie,
hugging his grandchildren,close friends,~~~and even his 'old Aunts'.
A HUG from Mike could last a lifetime! Always with a smile on his face, he came toward you with open arms, gently wrapping you into his strength, for he was a big man! Mike would hold you till you let go~~never would he be the first to break a "MIKE HUG".
How well I remember my last "MIKE HUG".
Aunt Leone and I joined a bunch of Smiths for lunch in Mason City. Mike was all smiles, looking really good in spite of the therapy he was receiving at the time. He had slimmed down some~~~but all with 'Hagen Heritage' have
that problem~~~~so I thought he looked very good.
Aunt Leone and I both got a Mike hug, but that was not the last one~~~just the first of the day.
We enjoyed lunch, talked of treatment and cancer,
gossip and family news,
travel and trips
and trophies and grand kids.
As we left the restaurant after a long afternoon, Mike was so attentive to his 'old aunts',
offering his arm,
holding the door,
bringing the car around so we wouldn't have to walk so far.
He escorted Aunt Leone to the car, gave her a 'MIKE HUG', helped her in and saw that her seat belt was secure.
Then he did the same for me~~
and that is the "MIKE HUG"
that I remember.
For that hug was so full of love,
that gentle strength so profound,
the warmth of his words so telling,
the knowledge in his eyes so compelling.
I didn't know it then, but that was the last time
I saw Mike~~~~
and that was my last hug~~~~~
and that HUG will last me
for my lifetime!
I know that Mike was met by a multitude of Angels who's names we know, who have gone before.
Jesus called and said "Come, my good and faithful servant", and Don, Doris and Bud, grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and friends, joined in the celebration:
of a life well lived,
well loved,
well fulfilled.
And if I know Mike, he is delivering "MIKE HUGS" for all of us left behind.
I will miss you, Mike.
God Bless and remember...........
U R LOVED
Aunt karen
1-24-2009
Connie Motland-Pals
January 23, 2009
Jae Lea, Sorry to hear about Mike. I know what all of you are going through. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Dawn Etchison
January 22, 2009
For Mike:
Into the arms of our Saviour
Free from earthly strife
Safe at home in Heaven
Begin eternal life…
God Bless, and love to Annie and family.
Wayne and Barb Opheim
January 21, 2009
So sorry to hear of Mike's death. The DePringer family has touched our lives so much. Starting with Don and his teaching, Donna and everything she has done, Annie, the best babysitter we ever had and Kelly, whose family has been such a joy to us! We are in AZ this month so cannot deliver our message to you in person. God be with you!
Becca Leake
January 21, 2009
Brandy and Family, We are so sorry for your loss..You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers...May God Bless and Comfort You....Dave,Becca and Girls
chad and kristin williams
January 21, 2009
we send our deepest sympathy. our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Ross and Lori Treloar
January 21, 2009
Annie and Family -
You are all in our thoughts and prayers. May God wrap his arms around you and your family at this time of sorrow. May Mike's memory live on forever in your hearts and provide you comfort at this time and in the days to come. God Bless
Vance Loeffler
January 21, 2009
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Mary Schissel
January 21, 2009
Annie & Girls, I was saddened to hear of Mike's passing. I was just looking at pictures this Christmas of Mike and I dancing at Ron's & my wedding-lo those many years ago. Please know you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Leslie Smith
January 21, 2009
Annie & Family - Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Mike was a wonderful and lovable man.
Matt, Leslie & Murphy Smith
Gabe and Mellisa Leach
January 21, 2009
Brandy and family,
You are in our thoughts and prayers. May all of your memories help you through these difficult times as he will live on in your hearts forever.
Connie Hickle
January 21, 2009
Annie and Family,
We are so sorry on Mikes passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Berry & Connie Hickle
The Wiemann's
January 21, 2009
Our thoughts are with such a great family. Cherrish the good memories forever. The Wiemann's
Donna & Mike Bull
January 20, 2009
Annie & Brandi....so sorry to hear the news. You are in our prayers.
Karen Morrow
January 20, 2009
Annie & Family,
I am so sorry to hear that Mike has passed away. I remember many of the stories you shared with us at the AGSES Conferences and I hope that some of those memories of Mike will comfort you in the future.
Dee Ann (Fisher) Goodnow
January 20, 2009
Jae Lea, I am so sorry to hear about your brother, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Take care.
Bart,Janette&Isabella Foster
January 20, 2009
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Mike & Sharon Traurig
January 20, 2009
Ann & Family
I sure was sorry to hear of Smittie's Passing . He was one of the best men I ever work with and we spent many of great Trips to Fairmont and back I will miss him .
John Behne
January 20, 2009
Annie & family
We are sorry to hear about Mike. You are in our thoughts & prayers. God will give you strength.
Dennis Mathers
January 20, 2009
Sorry to hear of your loss, but we still have the memories.
Dennis and Corliss
Mathers
Ron and Theresa Corell
January 19, 2009
We still have that picture from so long ago on the fridge. Mike will be sadly missed but all those memories will remain. Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers through this time and the future.
SHELLY ROBINETTE-FORD
January 19, 2009
VERY SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT MIKE...MAY YOU FIND COMFORT IN THE DAYS AHEAD TO KNOW THAT HE IS AT PEACE AND THERE IS NO MORE SUFFERING... GOD BLESS YOU ALL...
Karen Draheim
January 19, 2009
Annie and family-So sorry about Mike, you got to know he is in a better place. I have been thinking about you so much-you are in my thoughts and prayers-Karen
January 19, 2009
Annie and Family
We are so sorry about Smitty! He will be missed. You guys are in our prayers.
Bruce and Julie Fingalsen and Family
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