Reuben M. Smith, 89, of Esmond, ND passed away Friday, August 8, 2014 at the Heart of America Medical Center in Rugby, ND. Memorial services will be held Friday, August 15, 2014, at 2:00 PM at Immanuel Lutheran Church rural Esmond with Pastor Harold Ovre officiating. Burial will be in the Vasa Lutheran Cemetery, rural Esmond. Visitation will be Friday at the church an hour before the service. Honorary casket bearers will be Reuben's grandchildren: Aaron Smith, Jason Smith, Kelsey Smith, Jordan Smith, Kristen Smith, Adam Pfeifer and Britta Pfeifer. Music will be provided by Paula Duren, Lisa Faleide and Kaaren Duren. Memorials are preferred to the Anne Carlsen School in Jamestown or the Vasa Cemetery Fund, rural Esmond.

Reuben Milton Smith was born July 10, 1925 at the family farm in Isabel Township to Herman and Carrie (Erickson) Smith. He attended Isabel School, and was confirmed in 1940. He worked on the family farm until he enlisted in the army. He was stationed in Korea from 1951 to 1953. He met Shirley Swanson at a dance in Baker, ND, in 1955. They were united in marriage on July 8, 1956. They lived on the former Oliver and Effie Freeman farm for a year before they moved back to the family farm where they built a house just north of the the house where Reuben grew up. They farmed in partnership with Reuben's brother, Floyd, until Reuben's retirement.

Reuben and Shirley had four children: Kimberly Jo, Dawn Elizabeth, Keith Alan and Gregg Reuben.

Reuben was active in Farmers Union, and served on Benson County Farmers Union board, the Farmers Union Oil Company Board in Maddock, the Hesper Elevator Board, the Isabel Township board and the Benson County Crop Improvement Association. He was president of the Immanuel Church Council and served on the Esmond Lutheran Parish Board. He also taught Sunday school and was active in the church choir.

He enjoyed bowling, feeding his cats and loved living on the farm. He was always there and willing to help a friend or neighbor in need.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years: Shirley; one daughter: Dawn (Brad) Pfeifer of Bismarck; two sons: Keith (Cindy) Smith of Maddock and Gregg (Karen) Smith of Esmond and seven grandchildren: Aaron, Jason and Kelsey Smith, Jordan and Kristen Smith and Adam and Britta Pfeifer. He is also survived by one brother, Lyle (Sharon) Smith and two sisters, Vivian (Irvin)Toso and Myrt (Henning) Jacobson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, two sisters and his daughter, Kimberly. Reuben died on what would have been Kimberly's 55th birthday.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the caregivers at Heart of America Medical Center.





Condolences:


Sincere sympathy to the Smith family,especially Shirley and Dawn Pfeifer's family. Rueben presented himself with a kind, gentle spirit. He will be missed at our joint family gatherings. Jayme, Ann, Nicholas and Jacob Pfeifer