Matt Smith

Brewster, Minn. - Matthew J. Smith, 46, of Brewster, Minn., died Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008, at home.

He was born in Dubuque, Iowa, on Oct. 9, 1961, to Marty Smith and Lynn Smith.

Matt attended school in St. Cloud and Duluth, Minn., and graduated from high school in Aberdeen, S.D. He graduated from the Lake Area Vo-Tech Auto Mechanic program in 1983.

On June 4, 1983, he married Lona Pearson at Center Lutheran Church near Salem, S.D.

Matt and Lona moved to Worthington, Minn., where Matt worked at S & L Garage, First Auto Supply, started Smith Dental Lab with his wife, drove school bus, and most recently worked at the Veterinary Medical Center.

Matt was passionate about community involvement and he had a great appreciation for nature. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved boating, enjoying time at the lake, and spending time with his family.

Matt is survived by his wife; two sons, Jared and Jake, of Brewster; parents, Marty (Jan) Smith, Fredericksburg, Texas, and Lynn Smith, West Des Moines, Iowa; one brother, Mark (Tootie) Smith, Elko, Nev.; two sisters, Mindy (Mike) Sauer, Lubbock, Texas, and Shelli (Gregg) Lang, Las Vegas, Nev.; two step-sisters, Sheilah (Mike) Gross and Shelly Allmendinger of Aberdeen, S.D.; and several nieces and nephews.