George "Joe" Smith

George "Joe" Joseph Smith, age 85, of Monticello, peacefully passed away at his home on Saturday, November 15, 2025, in the loving arms of his wife and surrounded by family. Born on September 20, 1940, at home north of Sand Springs, he was the eldest child of George and Lavina Smith.

Joe received his early education in country schools and graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1958. In his formative years, he farmed alongside his father on the family farm and worked as a hired hand for local farmers. On February 6, 1965, Joe was united in marriage to MaDonna "Donna" Jean Ries at St. Patrick Church in Ryan, beginning a lifelong partnership rooted in faith, family and hard work.

Joe spent his entire working life in the farming industry. He farmed in the Castle Grove area for several years, and, in 1971, he and Donna bought their own farm north of Sand Springs. Together they worked side by side. Thanks to Mark, Jenny and their children, Joe never retired from the vocation he loved. His father graced him with a passion for farming, and he was blessed to share it with his children and grandchildren. Joe was known for his quiet strength, patience, honesty and kindness and was always the first to lend a helping hand to anyone who asked.

Left to honor his memory are Donna, his wife of 60 years, and children: Don (Kim) Smith of Monticello, Keith (Jennifer) Smith of Cedar Rapids, Tim Smith of Marion, Jerry Smith of New Vienna, Jayne (Dorrance) Hogan of Delhi, and Mark (Jenny) Smith of Hopkinton. Joe was blessed with 14 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. He is survived by his siblings; Joyce (Adam) Olszewski of Chicago; Paul (Janice) Smith and Elaine Eggiman of Monticello; Nancy Smith of Ocala; Dave Koob of Maquoketa; Jean Smith of Clinton; brothers and sisters-in-law, Sr. Irma Ries of Dubuque; Marvin (Karen) Ries, Ken (Karen) Ries and Jerome (Mary Kay) Ries of Ryan; Jim (Pat) Ries, Julie (Kevin) Miller and Garry Zumbach of Monticello; Jon (Becky) Ries, Kevin (Colleen) Ries and Mick (Marian) Neverman of Manchester; Kathy (Rick) Davis of Marion; and Glen Paulsen of Kimberling City; and family friend, Kay Feldman, and her children, Lori and Abby.

Joe joined his parents, George and Lavina Smith; his father-in-law, Matt Ries; his mother-in-law, Julia Ries; and Jerry's better half, Donna Stock; Joe's siblings, Bob Smith and Alice Koob; his brother-in-law, Fred Eggiman; and his sisters-in-law, Mary Paulsen, Carla Zumbach and Janella Neverman.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, November 21, 2025, at St. Luke Catholic Church, Hopkinton with interment in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Monticello. Friends may call at the church on Friday after 8:30 until 11:00. Goettsch Funeral Home has taken Joe and his family into their care.

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