"PS..Their names are Gerald and Sharon and they were born 10.11.1949"
Lewellyn Francis Smith, one of eight children of Alice (Matt) and Peter Smith, was born on March 21, 1923 at Cut Bank, Montana. Fondly known as Lew, he grew up and attended Mission School in Browning, Montana.
Lew served in the United States Army from 1941 to 1946. He was a cook in a restaurant in Farmington, New Mexico where he met his future wife who was a waitress. Lew and Ilene (McCleve) Waggoner were married on September 30, 1955 in Aztec, New Mexico. Their marriage was blessed with seven children, Carol, Denise, Ruth, Karen, Neal, David, and DeAnna.
Lew worked at whatever he could, to make a living over the years. He drove a truck in the oil fields of New Mexico and Utah, did handyman work, installed siding, worked as a meat cutter, a fry cook and chef. He also enjoyed doing carpentry work and cabinet making. In 1965, the family moved to Glenwood, Iowa and for a time, Lew was chef at the Glenwood Supper Club.
Lew loved to travel. He and Ilene had been married 43 years, when Ilene died on January 13, 1999 in Omaha, Nebraska. Lew remained active and enjoyed spending time with his family.
Lew passed away on March 24, 2008 at his Glenwood home, attaining the age of 85 years and 3 days. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Ilene; daughter Carol Hartpence and husband Charles; grandson, Evan Michael Clark; infant granddaughter, Brandie Jones; brothers, Peter Smith and wife Virginia, Theodore Smith, Joseph Smith and wife Jane, Vernon Smith and wife Ethel, Lawrence Smith and wife Marilyn, and Earl Jackson; sister, Pearl (Jackson) Smith and husband Clarence.
Lew is survived by his children, Denise Waggoner of Glenwood, IA, Ruth Clark of Lubbock, TX, Karen Jones of Glenwood, Neal Smith and wife Annette of Carter Lake, IA, David Blaine Smith and wife Pamela of Council Bluffs, IA and DeAnna Smith of Glenwood; seven grandchildren; five great grandchildren; half-brother Kenny Smith; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Memorials suggested to:
American Heart Association
American Diabetes Association
"PS..Their names are Gerald and Sharon and they were born 10.11.1949"
"I am so sorry for your loss. Please forgive me but this is the ONLY possible link we may have to my husband's father, Vernon Daniel Smith born in Cutbank, Montana. My husband and his twin sister were the children of Vernon Daniel Smith and Bernice Schenk. They know absolutely NOTHING of their father. Would you please contact me so we could learn more. I don't mean to be disrespectful. It's just the only information I have seen that could link my husband to his father. My name is Jon Nan Schenk and I can be reached at jonnans@yahoo.com. Please help us.. May God Bless you!"
"Karen, Jocob, and Family -- We wanted to express our sincere sadness for your loss. We know this is a hard time for you all, please find comfort in knowing you and your family are in the thoughts and prayers of many. There will be a void in your lives, but if you stay in touch with your hearts the hole will be filled, with memories and love that he left behind. Take it one day at a time and I hope all the good times and wonderful memories keep you going. God Bless, Janet and Allison"