Robert (Smitty) Smith of Cokato died Tuesday, July 15, 2003, at his lake cabin in South Haven. He was 70. The funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Friday, July 18, at the Zion United Methodist Church in South Haven with Rev. Heather E. Klason officiating. Inurnment will be held at a later date. Military Honors were provided by the Kimball American Legion. Friends visited from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, July 17, and one hour prior to service at the church. Robert James Smith was born August 19, 1932, to Samuel and Mary (Hall) Smith of Forest Prairie Township. He attended Dassel High School and served in the United States National Guard from 1950-52. Robert married Sharon Rubel on February 6, 1954, at the United Methodist Church in Litchfield. They resided in Darwin until 1969 when they purchased their home in Cokato. He ran his own construction company until 1987, then took a position with the carpenters’ union. He retired in 1998. Robert remodeled his home from the basement up. He hand-dug a walk-out basement, and refinished and created many pieces of furniture that adorn the house. He was a founding member of the Cokato Ridge Runners Snowmobile Club and also a member of the Kimball American Legion. He took great joy in the accomplishments of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved to visit with the children at his niece’s daycare center. Robert also loved to work around his cabin on Lake Caroline, mow the lawn, feed the birds, work in the garden and take care of the flowers. He even took a few seconds out of his busy work schedule to toss a fishing line in the lake. Robert was preceded in death by his parents, two grandchildren, brothers Ercell and Derwood, sisters Esther Hillmyer and Hazel Hochstedler, and two infant siblings. He is survived by his wife, Sharon of Cokato; children Sheri (and Keith) Woodford of Manannah, Monica (and Robert) Moham of Cokato, Ronald (and Diane) Smith of Cokato, and Kevin (and Nancy) Smith of Elk River; nine grandchildren: Sarah Peterson, Stacy Rotzien, Brandon and Marin Woodford, Bryan Moham, Destiny, Lacey, Weston and Spenser Smith; six great- grandchildren; sisters Mildred Carlson, Emily Hartneck and Erma Bowatz; and many nieces, nephews and friends. Casketbearers were Merlyn Smith, Paul Hillmyer, Donnie Hochstedler, Michael Bowatz, LaVern Hartneck and Monty Hillmyer. Music was provided by soloist Thomas Johnson and organist Jamie Miller. Funeral arrangements were made by Johnson Funeral Home of Dassel.
