Mitchell Eldred Smilanich

1934 - 2024

Mitchell Eldred Smilanich

1934-2024

Mitchell Eldred Smilanich age 89, of Grand Rapids, MN passed away Saturday, May 4, 2024, at Grand Village, Grand Rapids, MN

Mitch was born October 26, 1934, in Grand Rapids, MN to Mitchell Steven and Dorothy Marie (Eldred) Smilanich. He graduated from Breck High School, St. Paul, MN in 1953, earned his bachelor's degree in education in 1959 from the University of Minnesota and then went on to study for a master's degree in Spanish language studies at the Universidad Iberoamericana (IBERO) in Mexico City during the summers of 1969-1974.

Mitch joined the army in 1954 and served until 1956, spending time in Japan and Korea just after the Korean Conflict. On August 8, 1957, he was united in marriage to Carol Anne Macomber at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in St. Paul, MN. Mitch began his teaching career in 1962 at Bemidji State College where he taught language studies, and then taught languages and social studies at Grand Rapids High School (ISD #318) for 18 years. After leaving Grand Rapids, he continued his teaching career in Wyoming as well as in Texas, and then retired from teaching to pursue a variety of "retirement jobs" including traveling often as a translator accompanying his sister Mary's world-wide tours. Sadly, his wife Carol died in June of 1993; he was fortunate to meet another wonderful "east-coaster," Carol "Sue" Martin, and they married in July of 1997. They had 24 years together until she died in 2022.

Mitch loved word games of all types; languages, crossword puzzles, puns…. everyone who met him was subjected to his unique sense of humor, and we heard from many people at Grand Village how sweet he was and how very funny. He earned the pseudonym of Mitch Laugh-and-Scratch from his high school students (a perfect example of the wordplay on Smilanich). He had a deep passion for history and loved talking about it as well as many other topics. He also loved "torturing" his children by providing spontaneous lectures on a variety of topics which fascinated him (you know how kids are with parent's stories). His mother (and only his mother!) got away with calling him Mitchie, much to his chagrin.

Mitch was preceded in death by two wives-Carol and Sue; parents; and his sister Dorothy Ramsdell. He is survived by his son, Jim (Betsi) Smilanich of Wimauma, FL; daughters, Ellen (Rob Downing) Smilanich of Grand Rapids, MN, and Shelley (Terry Spence) Calvert of St. Paul, MN; sister, Mary (Mike) Skorich of Grand Rapids, MN; step children, Stephen Stillman of Shrewsbury, MA, Lynn Lee of Epsom, NH and Lee Stillman of Merrimack, NH; grandson, Josh Smilanich; and granddaughters, Dani (Peter Vang) Smilanich; Katie (Adam) Polzin, and Kristi Dietmeier.

A memorial gathering celebrating Mitch's life will be held Saturday, May 11, 2024, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM at Libbey Funeral Home, Grand Rapids, MN. Mitch died on May 4th, leaving us with his last pun: "May the 4th be with you!"

Memorials in Mitch's memory may be directed to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (https://www.nationalmssociety.org/) or Planned Parenthood (https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-north-central-states).

Mitch's children would like to thank all of the staff at Grand Village for their warm and attentive caretaking of him and his wife Sue over the past many years.

Arrangements are with Libbey Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Grand Rapids, MN. To sign the online guestbook or send condolences visit www.libbeyfuneralhome.com.