Kenneth Wayne Smith

Kenneth Wayne Smith, 71, of Cromwell, a dear husband and friend passed from this life to his heavenly reward at the Essentia St. Mary's Palliative Care on Friday, October 16, 2015 after his long struggle with lung disease. Ken was God's wonderful gift to me, his wife, Jeanne Smith for 24 years and will be dearly missed. Ken was born in Munising, MI, and grew up in Eben Junction, Upper Michigan with his family whom he loved. Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Velma Smith; brother, Donald Smith; and brother-in-law, Richard Poetz. He loved and was loved by his wife, Jeanne; stepchildren, Stacy (Andy) Melde of Superior WI, Ryan (Perlyn) Utter of Cloquet; his grandchildren, Kelsie, Samantha, Ryley and Sully Hopkins, Austin and Tylor Utter; great granddaughter, Adalyn Johnson; his father-in-law, Waino Heikkila of Cromwell; sister, Janet Poetz of Milwaukee, WI; brothers, James (Joyce) Smith of Eben Junction, MI, Fred (Glenda) Smith of Rapid River, MI, and Stanley (Andrea) Smith of Kingford, MI; sisters-in-law, Jeanette Smith of Hurley, WI and Connie (Chuck) Schmit of Grand Marais; brother-in-law, Tom (Jane) Heikkila of Cromwell; and loved nieces and nephews. Kenneth was a member of the Eagle Lake Independent Apostolic Lutheran Church of Cromwell and is survived by a host of brothers and sisters in faith. Ken enjoyed golf most but liked participating in many sports over his years. He liked thinking "on the blackboard in his mind" about math and science. He was a math teacher in Upper Michigan but most of his working days were at Harley Davidson Company in Milwaukee as a buyer and technical writer for parts and accessories. The family wishes to thank the St. Mary's Hospital 6th floor, Dr Kindt, Essentia's Palliative Care, Dr LaSage, Dr Bode in Cromwell, all the nurses and staff for their kind and loving care of Ken. Visitation: 10 until the 11 a.m. funeral service Wednesday, October 21, 2015 in the Eagle Lake Independent Apostolic Lutheran Church in Cromwell with Dale Kemp officiating. Burial will be at Forest Hill Cemetery. A time of lunch and fellowship will follow in the church social hall. Arrangements entrusted to the Atkins Northland Funeral Home, Cloquet. To sign the guest book and offer an online tribute, see www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com