Walter Smid

George, IA Walter Smid age 80 of Rock Rapids, IA died Wednesday, October 6, 2010 at the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, MN. A public burial with full military honors will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, in the Evergreen Lawn Cemetery at George. Chaplin Alan Holtz will officiate a private memorial service Saturday, October 9 at 2:30 p.m. at the Jurrens Funeral Home of George. Visitation will be held Friday, October 8, from 2:00 " 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 6:00 " 8:00 p.m. at the Jurrens Funeral Home of George. Walter J. Smid was born July 11, 1930 in George, Iowa to Minnie (Van Briessen) and Abbo Smid. He grew up on the family farm west of George and attended Wheeler #4 Township country school. Walter worked for many farmers in the area. At age eighteen, he began driving for Pete Ackerman, and he later worked for Siebring Manufacturing. Walter was drafted into the United States Army in January of 1951, and served his country in the Korean War from 1951 to 1952. He was honorably discharged in October of 1953. Walter came home to George and continued working for Pete Ackerman, Siebring Manufacturing, as well as Harberts Manufacturing. On October 5, 1954, Walter married Mae Wibben at the Stateline Church near Ellsworh, MN. Walter and Mae made their home on a farm outside of Rock Rapids. Along with farming, he also worked at Sudenga Industries. After retirement, Walter found joy in fixing items in his shop and working on the acreage. This past week, Walter was admitted to the Hennepin Country Medical Center where he passed away Wednesday, October 6, 2010 at the age of eighty. Walter J. Smid is survived by his wife, Mae of Rock Rapids; their children: Debra (James) Schomburg of Spencer, IA; Darvin (Laurie) Smid of Brookings, SD; Diane Smid of Ames, IA; Donna (Dale) Spartz of Hastings, NE, and Davis (Denise) Smid of Kenneth, MN. Walter is also survived by his sixteen grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, two sisters-in-law: Jennie Wibben of Rock Rapids and Louise Knutson of Sioux Falls, as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews. His parents, two brothers and their wives preceded Walter in death: Roland Buddy (Mary) Smid and Larry (Diana) Smid.