Dale A. Smith

Obituary

Dale Arthur Smith was born on February 25, 1925, on the family farm in Middleville Township, Minnesota, just west of Howard Lake. He was the son of Arthur and Caroline (Hempel) Smith. Dale attended schools in Howard Lake and graduated in 1943. He became an auto body repairman, first working in Cokato, and then moved to Minneapolis to work for Boyer/Gilfillan Ford.

Dale and Alene Klammer were married on October 14, 1950, at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cokato. They lived in Minneapolis from 1950 to 1959, when they moved “way out west”, to Plymouth, where their four children attended the Wayzata schools. In August 1968, Dale and Alene had the opportunity to buy their own auto body shop in Hutchinson, Minnesota. Hutch Auto Body was a well-respected business in town, and Dale was known for his excellent work and honest business practices.

Life changed for Dale when Alene died of breast cancer in 1987. He then met Carol Both and the two of them were married at Calvary Lutheran Church on December 9, 1989. They marked their 30th anniversary last December.

Dale sold Hutch Auto Body in 1991 and enjoyed a busy retirement filled with family, friends, and travel. For 25 years, Dale and Carol spent six months in Hutchinson and six winter months in Apache Junction, Arizona, where he enjoyed spending time in his backyard woodworking shop and playing golf. He was always ready to play a game of cards and eat some lemon pie. When in Minnesota, he loved fishing and playing cards and games up at the cabin near Backus, Minnesota. Family gatherings were very important to him.

He was an active church member, both at Calvary Lutheran in Golden Valley and at Christ the King Lutheran in Hutchinson. He also enjoyed his time as a member of the Kiwanis club in Hutchinson. Dale served on the board of their HOA in Arizona.

Dale passed away on Wednesday, September 2, 2020, at Woodstone Senior Living in Hutchinson, at the age of 95 years.
He will be buried in the Howard Lake Cemetery, along with all of his Smith ancestors dating back to his great-grandparents.

Dale is survived by his:
Wife, Carol Smith of Hutchinson, MN,
Children, DeAnn Klun and her husband, Leonard, of Maple Plain, MN,
Lori Kirchoff and her husband, Dave, of Chaska, MN,
Roger Smith and his wife, Barbara, of Maple Grove, MN;
Daughter-in-law, Marilyn Smith of Brooklyn Park, MN;
Stepdaughters, Kristin Murray and her husband, Michael, of Savage, MN,
Kimberly Cruz and her husband, James, of Greenfield, MN;
Grandchildren, Tom (Liz) Klun, Elizabeth Klun, Matt (Ashley) Kirchoff, Allison (Joe) Gans, Mitchell Kirchoff,
Patrick Smith, Morgan Smith, Zachary (Allison) Smith, Tyler Smith (fiancée Katie), Stacy Smith, Samantha Murray, Jack Murray, Connor Cruz and Cassidy Cruz;
Great-Grandchildren, Caleb and Sophie Klun, Harper and Miles Kirchoff, Calvin and Rohn Gans, and Isabelle Smith;
Sister, Helen Zander of Howard Lake, MN;
Several sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Dale is preceded in death by his Parents, Arthur and Caroline Smith; First Wife, Alene Smith; Son, Steven Smith; Brother, Everrett Smith; Sister, Dorothy Janneke; 4 Brothers-In-Law.