Mike Smith

George, IA Mike Smith, age 36 of George, IA died Saturday, December 6, 2014 at his home near George, IA after a courageous battle with cancer. Memorial service will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 9th at Ebenezer Presbyterian Church in George, IA, with Rev. Dale Lint officiating. Graveside service will be prior to the memorial service, at Evergreen Lawn Cemetery in George, with the family meeting at Jurrens Funeral Home at 9:00 a.m. and proceeding to the cemetery. The public may join the family for burial at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday morning. Visitation will be Monday, December 8th from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m., with the family present from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Jurrens Funeral Home of George. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the family for later designation. Michael Aaron Smith was born February 25, 1978 at Rock Rapids, Iowa, the son of Jerry and Elvira (Stubbe) Smith. He grew up on the family farm south of George and attended George-Little Rock Community Schools. He graduated from high school in 1996 and continued his education at Southeast Technical College in Sioux Falls, SD in Turf Management. While he was going to school he worked at Minnehaha Country Club Golf Course in Sioux Falls. In 2001 Mike accepted a position in Chanhassen, MN at Bluff Creek Golf Couse. In 2005 he was hired as the superintendent at Halla Greens Golf Course, which was being built at the time. He helped develop the golf course into what it is today. In December of 2011 Mike was diagnosed with cancer and returned home to live with his parents in George. He was a member of Ebenezer Presbyterian Church in George and the Minnesota Golf Course Superintendents Association. He enjoyed golfing, watching the Dallas Cowboy football games, and Iowa Hawkeye games. He also played in volleyball, softball, pool, and dart leagues. Mike most recently enjoyed a trip to Dallas, TX where he attended a Cowboy game at AT&T Stadium. Mike will be remembered as a genuine guy and had a deep appreciation for the beauty of the outdoors and animals. He was especially fond of his nieces and nephews. He is survived by his parents, Jerry and Elvira Smith of George, IA; brother, Mark (Lesli) Smith of George, IA; sister, Michelle (Ed) Ver Steeg of Spencer, IA; and nieces and nephews, Breanna and Brayden Smith and Abbie, Emma, Ashten, and Evan Ver Steeg; and many other extended family. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Ralph and Mae Smith, and maternal grandparents, Enno and Ella Stubbe.