Susan Marie Smith

Susan "Sue" Marie (Hardon) Smith, Age 76, of Duluth, MN passed away on December 9, 2025 surrounded by her family and the exceptional staff at Aspirus St. Luke's Intensive Care Unit.

Sue was born in Duluth, MN on April 12, 1949. A graduate of Denfeld High School with best friends Donna Gustafson, Linda Skorich, Sue Horvath, Linda "Pete" Pederson, Ruthie Granquist, and Elaine Cerio, she loved The Beatles, Herman's Hermits, and The Everly Brothers. In 1965, while sitting on her porch with a friend, the love of her life drove past her on his motorcycle. She walked down the front steps to talk to him. Her dad came out and said, "Don't get on that motorcycle!" Her dad left for work, and on the motorcycle she went! Sue and Ken have been inseparable ever since. Ken entered the Marine Corps/Vietnam. In July of 1966, Ken proposed and they married on June 14, 1968. Shortly after the wedding they headed to California, allowing him to continue his active duty. They had two children born in 1969 and 1970. Sue worked as a CNA for several years but spent most of her years as a stay-at-home mom to her two children, many foster children along the way. Prior to her blindness, she enjoyed gardening, reading, CB radio, fishing, walks, riding her motorbike, camping, spending time with her pets, and shopping. She had a quick wit and a fantastic sense of humor. She loved with every ounce of her being.

She is preceded in death by her sister Sharoll (Hardon) Harbaugh, mother Elsie (Opheim) Hardon, father Kermit Hardon, mother-in-law Margaret "Peggy" (Oliver) Smith, father-in-law Jesse Smith, sisters-in-law Cindy Crockett, Peggyann (Smith) Pierce, and Jackie (Smith) Stockman.

She is survived by her loving husband of 57 years Ken Smith and their dog Sandy, brother Skip Hardon (DonnAlee), daughter Melissa (Smith) LaTour (Gordon Lewis), Son Ken Smith II (Joleen), grandchildren Zoe LaTour (Kyle Rudd-Pulkinen), Aiden Smith, Kylee Smith, several nieces, nephews, and cousins, and close neighbor friend Alice Skadsburg.

The family would like to thank Dr. Rachel Nelson and the team at Aspirus St. Luke's, and Benedictine Health Center.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, December 18th at the Cremation Society chapel, 4100 Grand Avenue, Duluth, MN with visitation at 10 a.m. and service at 11 a.m. Burial procession and luncheon to follow.