Larry Smith

Larry J Smith of Fargo passed away Sunday evening, May 25 following an 8 year struggle with multiple myeloma. He was 76. Larry was born in Albert Lea, MN in 1938 and as a child moved with his family to Milford, IA. He graduated from Milford High School in 1956 and in 1957 he married his high school sweetheart, Marianne Fiedler in Langdon, IA. The couple resided in Brookings, SD where they both worked numerous jobs while Larry finished his education at South Dakota State University and their first daughter was born. In addition to working as a cook, meat cutter and odd job man, Larry was a member of Sigma Tau honor engineering fraternity. Upon graduation in 1960, they moved to Gary, IN where he accepted a position with US Steel Corp-Gary Works as a management trainee and where their 2nd daughter was born. In 1962 they returned to Iowa where Larry began his career with Northwestern Bell Telephone (later US West). During those years they lived in Council Bluffs, Cedar Falls, and Des Moines where their 3rd daughter was born. In January 1970 the family moved to Grand Forks, ND and then to Fargo in 1976 where Larry ended his career with the phone company in 1990. He worked briefly at Border States Electric in retirement. Larry was a willing volunteer and was involved in causes including Telephone Pioneers, United Way, Junior Achievement, Salvation Army, Governor's Task Force, Lions, Boy Scouts and for many years was secretary-treasurer of the RR Valley Senior Men's Golf Association. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Marianne, daughters Julie (Scott) Sherwood, Fargo, Jana (Jim) Miller, Cedar Park, TX and Jill (Kelly) Erickson, Fargo and 8 grandchildren, Erin Sherwood, Fargo, Dylan (Chelsa) Sherwood, Fargo, Alexandra (Trey) Helms, Boerne, TX, Ryan Miller, Lubbock, TX, Brady Miller, Austin, TX, Stephanie Erickson, Bloomington, MN, Hanna Erickson, Fargo and Charlie Erickson, Fargo, and great-granddaughter, Brennah Sherwood, Fargo. He is also survived by brothers John, Phoenix, AZ and Dennis, Arnolds Park, IA and one sister, Shirley (Jerry) Sporrer of Tempe, AZ. Larry was good-natured, an organizer, enjoyed his own jokes and loved to play cards. He taught his family the values of hard work, competitiveness, volunteerism, and how to live a happy life. He will be missed by all who knew him. With his wishes no services are planned, cremation has occurred with burial at a later date. Special thanks to everyone at ManorCare for the wonderful care given during his short stay.