Fred V. Smith

Fred V. Smith, 94, of Callaway, Nebraska, passed away on Tuesday, June 23, 2020 in Callaway surrounded by family.

He was born in Kearney, Nebraska, on June 14, 1926 to Earl and Merle Smith. Fred has many great stories about growing up in Kearney. As an interesting side note, his saddest was the death of his baby brother from drowning. The funeral was held in the home as the family was quarantined with measles. History has a way of repeating. He had many special memories of summers spent on Murphy Table with his grandparents planting tree strips, watering hogs, and sneaking away to go skinny dipping in the river. They built dams for erosion control in the surrounding canyons. Farming with his grandparents and uncles during the summer was where he developed his lifelong love for farming.

While attending high school he enrolled in the Trades and Industry Course working for Penny’s selling shoes. He got paid a pittance by today’s standards. He graduated from Longfellow High School in Kearney in May 1943 and accompanied his sister Mary to California for her wedding. One of his favorite stories was that he was a bridesmaid, groomsman, and congregation. Fred worked for Consolidated Aircraft. He and Mary returned to Kearney when her husband was sent overseas with the Marines. He held various jobs mixing cement and in the motor pool before joining the Navy in October of 1944. He was honorably discharged in July of 1946. He met Lorraine at the Buffalo County fair dance.

He married Lorraine Elizabeth Wiegand on February 18, 1947 and resided in Kearney, Nebraska. He worked for the Spillway Power Plant from 1947-1950 when the opportunity to farm Murphy Table came up. The family lived there until 1955 when they bought their current farm on the southeast edge of Callaway. Fred soon took a job with the post office and worked there until he retired and farmed during his “spare” time and continued to farm well into his nineties.

Fred and Lorraine raised four children. Three of which, today, reside in Callaway and the fourth is shortly retiring and moving on the home farm.

Fred is survived by his children, James (Terri) Smith, Mary Smith, Karen (Smith) Leach and Leon (Tami) Smith; Eight grandchildren, Mike (Karmen) Smith, Mark (Brenda) Smith, Jill (Rich) Kumke, Chris Leach, Nancy (James) Healey, Lance (Kristen) Smith, Brandon (Ashley) Smith and Leigh Anne Smith; Twelve great-grandchildren, Hayden and Caleb Smith, Brady and Myka Smith, Alyssa, Lyndsey, and Benjamin Kumke, Keon and Kaylee Smith, Brooklyn, Charlee, and Andi Smith; Sister, Mary Cooley; Two brothers, Royce Smith and Larry (Lois) Smith; Brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law include, Delbert (Norita) Wiegand, Lucille (Al) Candy, Leonard (Virginia) Wiegand and sister-in-law, Della Wiegand; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and family friends.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Merle Smith of Callaway; wife, Lorraine in 2019; brother, Kent Earl, brother-in-law, Kenneth Cooley, and sister-in-law, Delores Smith; Sisters-in-law, Verna (Jerry) Simpson, and Joan (Frank) Starr; brothers-in-law, Dietrich “Dick” (Margie) Wiegand, Aloysious Wiegand, and other beloved family members along with numerous friends.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 25, 2020 from 5-7 p.m. at Timm-Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Callaway.

A Graveside Service with Military Honors will be on Friday, June 26, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at Rose Hill Cemetery in Callaway with Doug Boldt, officiating. Fred’s graveside service will be live-streamed via the Reynolds-Love Funeral Home’s Facebook page.

Memorials are kindly suggested to the family for later designation.

Timm-Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Callaway is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com