Theodore Smith Sr.

Theodore (Ted) Earl Smith SR., 92 of Grand Marais, MN died on Thursday, February 9, 2017 surrounded by his loving wife Elsie and family at North Shore Health.

Ted was born on September 25, 1924 to Rodney and Pearl (Cronkite) Smith in Mineral Center, MN where he grew up on the family farm.  He enlisted into the Navy July 30, 1943 thru December 17, 1945.  He served with honor as a Coxswain aboard the USS Lesuth AK-125.  Ted married the love of his life Elsie (Olson) on May 25, 1946, and they enjoyed a 70 year life journey together.

Ted was a jack of many trades, working as a professional fisherman, trapper and logger.  He made freight deliveries along the Gunflint Trail for L&B Express.  He spent most of his working years on Hwy 61 between Duluth and Thunder Bay as a truck driver for Hedstrom Lumber and North Shore Trucking.  He finished his working career with the MNDOT Highway Maintenance Crew in the spring of 1977.

Elsie was the light of Ted’s life and spending his time with her was his brightest joy.  70 years side by side, they remained true sweethearts and doing anything together was what he enjoyed most.  Ted also felt special joy when sitting at the kitchen table drinking coffee, visiting and playing cards or bomb dice with his beloved family and friends.  Ted had a wonderful green thumb.  He enjoyed tending his gardens and sharing veggies, fruits and flowers with others.  Family will fondly remember visiting with him while tasting raspberries, strawberries, currents and cherry tomatoes from his garden.  When he was not in the garden, he was on one of his many favorite inland lakes fishing or camping.  Family will cherish the memory of his fly hook whizzing past their ears!  Ted will be remembered as a kind man with a quick wit who loved to laugh and make everyone around him comfortable.  His family is blessed and honored to call him the best Husband, Father, Olpa, Brother and Uncle.  He will be forever in our hearts and deeply missed.

Ted was preceded in death by his parents; son Timothy; infant Grandchildren Hope and Timothy 2nd; daughter-in-law Judy, brothers, Marvin, Harold (Shine), Reggie and Sister Fern (Hendrickson).

He is survived by his loving wife and partner Elsie (Olson), children Ted Jr (Carol), Lindy (Mongan), Lori  (David) Anton, and Tom (Chris);   Twelve Grandchildren, sixteen Great Grandchildren and one Great-Great Grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Dr. Terrill, North Shore Clinic and Hospital staff and the EMT team for the wonderful care of Ted.

The family would like you to join them for a Celebration of Life Service and pot luck luncheon will be held at 2pm on Saturday February 18, 2017 at the Grand Portage Community Center.