Dwight Smedshammer

dwight smedshammer

Dwight D. Smedshammer, 70, Fargo, died Thursday, Oct. 9, 2014, at Sanford Hospital in Fargo. Dwight was born June 8, 1944 at home in Lamoure County. He graduated from Litchville High School in 1962. After high school he joined the Air Force where he served proudly from 1963 to 1966. He retired from the North Dakota Air National Guard in 1995 after which he was able to devote his time to family, vintage Chevys, racing and John Wayne movies. He married Shirley (Heyen) Kost on April 3, 1981; they lived north of Fargo. A beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Dwight was the neighborhood mechanic, a skilled handyman whose shop was always open for assistance, Pepsi, and "intelligent conversation." He was a fixture in the local racing community, modifying and repairing cars for countless drivers and friends. He was well known for his meticulously restored Camaros, Chevelle, and 1931 Chevy. He loved farming and had a special place in his heart for John Deere tractors. He is survived by his wife Shirley; two sons Brad  (Marsha) Smedshammer, and Steven (Christine) Smedshammer; two daughters, Courtney (Derik) Arneson, and Becky (Brian) Cronin; grandchildren Aubrey and Drew Cronin and Sloane Smedshammer; step-grandchildren Scott (Melissa) Cary, Michael (Jan) Germain, and Courtney Clausi; six step-great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews; four brothers, Ray (Karen) Smedshammer, Norris (Connie) Smedshammer, Ivan (Phyllis) Smedshammer, and Jerry (Linda) Smedshammer; five sisters, Marie (Jack) Rourke, Erma (Lloyd, dec.) Peterson, Alice (Leonard) Bjerke, Betty  (Larry) Gackle, and Thelma "Tootie" (Larry) Fueller. He is preceded in death by his parents, Justin and Myrtle Smedshammer, sisters Loretta "Lolly" (Don) Opdahl, Inez (Bromley) Clegg, and two infant twin girls. Services will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 16, at the Fargo Air Museum; Tim Bauer will officiate. Burial will be Friday afternoon in the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Mandan. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Dwight may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or the New Life Center.

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  1. Casselton ND
    Our thoughts and prayers are with your family through this time of sorrow. Dwight was a great neighbor and friend and will be truly missed.
    Love,
    Melissa, Lowell, Mercedes, and Pete

  2. rock springs WyWe knew Dwight when we lived at the condo at 32 ave. north, we enjoyed our time there and he was great to know, I bought his 1964 red 2 door hardtop Ford Falcon, 6 cylinder and 4 speed, enjoyed that car. God Bless you’ll, our thoughts and prayers are with you’ll in your time of loss, Dave and Karen Gustafson. Dwight and I used to snowmobile on the river and area together, good times good people.

  3. Seattle WADwight will be greatly missed, he always had a smile on his face at the races and whenever I asked him to help me fix something on my car his eyes would light up. Such a loss for everyone and I will miss betting him a Pepsi on the Modified races next summer.

  4. Fargo N. Dak. We will miss Dwight and Ray will miss his visits out to the “garage”! He’d go out for a visit and be gone for few hours. I’d ask what you talked about but it was apparently ” nothing”. That must be where what happens in the garage stays in the garage!
    Ray remembers when Dwight started his mechanic intrest as a young child building a two wheel cart. They had no horses so he hooked it up to a calf. the calf had other ideas and took off with the cart before he got it hooked-up and Dwight after it. Needless to say it ended up in pieces. I woner if his Mom thought it was as funny as the boys did?
    We”ll hink of you often Dwight (and family) and miss you for ever.Ray and Karen

  5. Choteau MTI’m so sorry for your loss. Dwight was a great friend of my former husband, Jonathan Colebank, in Litchville through their school years.

  6. West Fargo ND
    Heaven has gained a really nice guy who was a good and close friend to my brother Jon Colebank. I have so many memories of the Smedshammer boys over at our house visiting with my family as they would gather for All School Reunions, etc. or just stopping by to have coffee with my mom and dad. Jon died at 35 so Dwight didn’t come as often anymore as Norris or Jerry stopped in at the folks but they always treasured the memories they had of Dwight and the time he spent with Jon. Good memories – he will be missed by all of us Colebank kids that are still on this side of Heaven’s gates.

    Thoughts are with you all in this unexpected loss of husband, father, brother, and friend. Sympathies and hugs to you all!

  7. West Fargo ND
    Dwight was one of my science-math students from grades 9-11. I enjoyed him in class. We ran into each other a few times. I last saw him at his 50th H.S reunion. He will be greatly missed. We’re thinking of all of you.
    Syl and Marge

  8. I am so sorry for your loss.

    My fiancee and I have made a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project in Dwight’s name.

  9. SURPRISE ArizonaTo the family of Dwight, I just wanted to express my sincere thoughts and prayers at this time. Dwight was a great person and a fantastic co-worker. I enjoyed many moments with him and learned from him as he was a awesome mechanic..always the go to guy for questions. He will surely be missed.

  10. Casselton ND
    Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this time of sorrow. Dwight was a great neighbor and friend and he will truly be missed by us all.
    Love,
    Melissa, Lowell, Mercedes and Pete

  11. Fargo, ND
    Dear Shirley and family,
    Prayers and fond memories are being sent as we remember Dwight. One of the nicest neighbors anyone could ask for. May the love of family and friends comfort you during these difficult days, please accept our most heartfelt condolences.

  12. Nome ND
    We were sure sorry to see Dwight has passed away. We-Richard and Iverne Birklid give Dwights family our Symathy. as you know Iverne came from the Litchville area….

  13. Casselton ND
    Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Dwight was a wonderful neighbor and friend. He will be truly missed.
    Melissa, Lowell, Mercedes, and Pete

  14. Mexico MOShirley, I am sorry to hear of you loss. It’s been many years since we last communicated with each other but I think of you often.

  15. New Brunswick NJI still have many fond memories of Dwight and I doing things when we were kids, like carrying water for the school from the well at their farm.
    These fond memories will continue to live on for me.
    May God Bless the family of Dwight at this time.
    Sincerely, Larry & Margo Wegner

  16. fargo ndDear Shirley and family, so very sorry in your loss of your husband, father, brother. It is very hard to go on with life after losing your spouse. Your life feels empty at first. But you do gradually learn how to make another life without them by your side but always in your heart. Lean on each other during this time and don’t be afraid to bring up memories of past happy times and sad times. It all helps to know how each of you are doing as you all grieve differently. By helping loved ones around you, it will also help you through your grief. Take care of yourself and of each other. You are in my thoughts and prayers during this time.

  17. Fargo ND
    My deepest sympathy to all of Dwight’s family. I am a cousin on Dwight’s Mom’s side. I always admired how your family would make an effort to get together & have fun. Big families don’t always have that kind of relationship. The “Smedshammer family” knew how to do it. Dwight’s beautiful warm smile was a trademark. It & he will be missed.

  18. Fargo N.D
    . A fine man and a great neighbor. Spent many a hour over at his garage visiting and joking around. I truly am going to miss you Dwight, and whenever I look across the road there will be a sadness in my heart along with a smile on my face thinking of all the good times.

  19. Casselton ND
    Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Dwight was a wonderful neighbor and friend. He will be truly missed.
    Melissa, Lowell, Mercedes, and Pete

  20. Aylett VAWe just wanted to express our condolences to the family on the passing of Dwight. We are Scott Cary’s parents and know Brad and Marsha through Melissa, our daughter-in-law. They had a good time with the Smedshammer family at Holden Beach. I know they will all miss Dwight.

  21. Las Vegas NVDear Shirley,
    We are so sorry to hear about Dwight’s passing. We had never met him, but know by reading the obituary, he was a very
    loving and caring part of your community.
    Sounds like a guy that would never say no to a project brought to him, and was more that willing to help anyone with something he could fix or give advise too. Please accept our condolences. It’s a good time to lean on those who love you. Take care of yourself, and know that we pray for you and your family at this most difficult time.
    Love, Mark and Diane Lee

  22. Underwood MN
    My deepest sympathy goes out to you Shirley and family in your time of loss. It is very difficult to loose a spouse, but through faith, you will be able to make it day by day. That’s what I have done and it is working. I will be thinking of you and pray that you will have comfort.
    Best Wishes to you Shirley and your family.
    Keep Dwight’s memories alive!

  23. Casselton ND
    Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Dwight was a wonderful neighbor and friend. He will be truly missed.
    Melissa, Lowell, Mercedes, and Pete

  24. Dwight was the nicest guy I had ever known. I spent a lot of time with him growing up and never heard him say a bad thing or get mad once. I meet Dwight when I was about 6 years old going to the races with my dad. I started racing at 14 and I couldn’t have done it without Dwight. He could fix anything. He was always welding or straightening something for me. He would work till midnight some nights if we had a race the next day. Many weeks he would help me 30 plus hours a week. He even built the some of my race car trailers. He would never let me pay him for all his hard work. He would just say bring me a Pepsi next time. He was at every race with my dad and would always come down and talk about the race. He would just smile and give me the thumbs up if we won. I wish I had a chance to thank him again for all he did for me over the years. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

  25. Custer, SD Not enough room to say how proud I was of my younger brother and how much I will miss him. Every one will miss him. I had to mention “younger” because He would have made sure all would have known I was older. Jerry

  26. West Palm Beach FloridaSaddened to hear about the passing of “my favorite” uncle. Will keep so many good memories close to my heart. Prayers of peace to his family.

  27. Austin, Texas Dwight is my 1st cousin, we grew up as very close neighbors attending church, Sunday School, Bible School, elementary school and family gatherings together. I remember Dwight as a very kind, gentle, and helpful fellow. I am Praying for peace and comfort for his family, sisters and brothers as this was so unexpected. May God supernaturally give you comfort as He promised in John 5:24

  28. Verona ND
    Our Prayers and Sympathy to all of Dwights Famliy and Friends. He will be missed by many. We do have lots of good memories. Love Norris and Connie

  29. West Fargo Our prayers of comfort to all of you. I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know but…what a great guy! Always a smile and a story to tell. Always ready to help by fixing, lending a hand or sharing a needed tool. Never heard a negative word come from Dwight–must have been the Pepsi! He will be so missed. Love and prayers to your family.
    Dawn and Pat Cronin


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