Dennis O. Smith, 80, of Moose Lake, Minn., passed away Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008, in Mercy Health Care Center in Moose Lake. He was born in 1928 in Colfax, Wis., to Willis and Charlotte Smith. Dennis was raised in Menomonie, Wis., and lived there until he joined the Merchant Marines where he sailed for 10 years. He married Ruby Joyce on New Year's Eve in 1949 and they moved to the Cloquet area where he worked for the Potlatch Corporation and was a union president. He retired after 32 years. Dennis also owned a roofing and siding company for several years
He moved to Moose Lake in 1973 and loved to fish and hunt. He liked to travel and especially loved the ocean and boats; he was a good cook, loved to tell a good story or joke and play cribbage with his kids and grandchildren. After retiring he and his wife traveled throughout the United States and made many friends along the way.
Dennis was preceded in death by his parents; wife of 53 years, Ruby Joyce; an infant son; and son, Randy Smith.
He is survived by his daughters, Linda (Jody) Jansen of Minneapolis, Rox Ann (DuWayne) Severson of Red Wing, Jeanine (Mike) Timonen of Moose Lake, Raenele (Greg) Brooks of Minneapolis; daughter-in-law, Karen Smith of Cloquet; brothers, Dale (Margaret) Smith of Lake Stevens, Wash., and LaVern (Audrey) Smith of Owatonna; sister, Elaine Peterson of Seattle, Wash.; eight grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service was held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, in Northland Funeral Home, Cloquet.
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Arrangements entrusted to Northland Funeral Home, Cloquet, 218-879-7184. To sign the guest book and offer an online tribute, see www.northlandfuneralhome.com .
November 6, 2008 ~ Pine Journal, Cloquet, Minn.
