CARL SMESTAD Jr.

Carl Smestad Jr. Was born July 19, 1922 in Hatton, North Dakota to Carl Sr. and Maude Smestad (Brumwell). He passed away at home surrounded by family members on June 4, 2010. He was the eldest son of ten brothers and sisters and worked on his family farm outside of town in his youth. After attending Hatton High School, he joined the Navy during WWII and served in the Pacific as a Pharmacist's Mate on the USS Keokuk. While in the service, Carl married Dolores Knutson, who was also from Hatton. Upon leaving the Navy, Carl and Dolores moved back to Hatton, where their eldest son, David, was born in 1947. They started a dry cleaning business and also sold clothing. They ran their successful store until moving to Tacoma in 1961. Once here, he opened Carl's Cleaners in Parkland, which he operated from 1961 until retiring in 1988. For many years he also sold antiques in the front part of the store. Carl considered many of his loyal customers to be dear friends. Their two other children, Bradley and Mary, were born in 1963 and 1968. Carl will always be remembered as a friendly, kind-hearted, and caring person who loved his family and always took the time to get to know people and genuinely cared about them. He is survived by his three children, grandchildren Cassandra and Joshua, and his siblings in North Dakota. His wife Dolores passed away on April 1, 2010. He will be greatly missed and will forever be in our hearts and minds. Memorial services will be held at: Little Church on the Prairie, 6310 Motor Ave. SW, Lakewood, WA 98499, 2pm on Monday June 14th. All are welcome.