Terry Smith of South Haven died Saturday, June 17, 2023, at St. Cloud Hospital, surrounded by family and close friends. He was 62. 
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 22, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Kimball with Pastor Dave Milz as officiant. Burial will follow at Fair Haven Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel in Kimball, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service Thursday at the church.
Terry Lee Smith was born Aug. 4, 1960, in St. Cloud to Sherrill and Eva (Schacht) Smith. He graduated from Kimball Area High School in 1979. Terry had a knack for precision, working in his younger years as a carpenter. He was a sharpshooter in pool and hunting alike, and he could fillet every Northern he caught without leaving behind a single bone. His front walk was always lined perfectly with zinnias, and he valiantly fought every weed or pest attacking his backyard garden.
Terry was a loving brother, favorite uncle, and loyal friend to many. He often welcomed visitors with his home-made apple pie, a game of cribbage, or vegetables from his garden. When Terry came out to a gathering, he always had a smile on his face, a cold drink in his hand, and a “five” for all. When the moment struck him, he was known to grin and yell out, “Freedom!” That grin was a contagion he spread to everyone he met, and we can all grin today knowing he is free in heaven from the wheelchair that accompanied him for the past 36 years.
Terry was preceded in death by his father Sherrill Smith, with whom he shared his love of gardening; brother Randy Smith; brothers-in-law Al Johnson, Larry Wittenberg, and David Gothier; and his grandparents.
He is survived by his mother Eva Smith of Kimball; his favorite partners in mischief, his siblings, Penny (and Virgil) Lovejoy of Watkins, Patty Gothier (and Jim Slentz) of Fair Haven, Tammy Smith of St. Cloud, Jeff (and Tammy) Smith of Albertville, and Nia (and Randy) Meierhofer of Watkins; his close friend Chris Dahlbloom; and many nieces and nephews whom he’d trained to respond, “Uncle Red” anytime he asked, “Who’s your favorite uncle?”
Dan Wittenberg, Blaine Meierhofer, Adam Marquette, Levi Marquette, Jordan Hurrle, and Neil Duncan will serve as casket bearers. Randy Meierhofer and Pete Heid will serve as honorary casket bearers. Lynn Hoff will provide music for the service.