Walter Steven Smith, Sr.

Walter Steven Smith, Sr., age 77, of Walker, MN passed away peacefully on Monday, June 25, 2018 under the loving care of the Good Samaritan Society in Pine River, MN.  He was born June 6, 1941 in Pine Point, MN in Shingobee Township to Joseph Harold Smith and Mary (Gould) Smith.  He attended school at Walker, MN before entering the military in 1958.  He was stationed in Germany while serving in the US Army.

Over the years, Walter worked at different places before initially retiring in 2004 from Northern Lights Casino.  He later returned to working at Northern Lights as a security officer and finally retired in 2014.  He was a member of St. Agnes Church.  He enjoyed fishing, working on cars, and watching car races.  He especially enjoyed time spent with his children and grandchildren.

“Walt” was a very likeable man, was known to joke around and tease everyone which made him especially fun to be around.  He made us all laugh.  He was an honest and generous (often too generous) man who helped people when he could.  He was loved by many and will be dearly missed.

Walter will be forever remembered by his two daughters, Heidi (Doug) Orton and Shirley Taylor from his first marriage to Diane; one daughter, Julie Bruce, and his stepchildren, Dyana (Mikey) Bruce and Steven (Cheryl) Bruce from his second marriage to Susie; and a son, Walter Smith, Jr. (Wally), from his partner, Harriett; his grandchildren Courtney Taylor, Brandon Taylor, Jasmine Taylor, DesMarie Pritchard, Danny Pritchard, JaeMarie Nordmarken; step grandchildren Anthony Bushy, Andrea Bushy, Andrew Bushy, Andretti Bushy, Andros Bushy, Steven Bruce, Jr., Josie Bruce, James Bruce, and Jessica Orton as well as many step great grandchildren; and one sister Dororthy (Gaylor) Walswick.  He is also survived by the children of his late former wife, Linda, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Walter was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Mary, his brothers, Donald, Snuffy, and Abbott, and his sisters, Shirley, Joanne, and Mary Jo as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

We thank those who called and visited Dad while he was in the hospital and nursing facility.  We also thank the many doctors and nurses at the various hospitals that kept him going.  We sincerely thank the team at Good Samaritan for taking care of him and giving him a home away from home.  We would also like to thank the Northern Peace Funeral Home, Father Tim Lange, the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe as well as friends and family for assisting with the arrangements.  We thank God for blessing us with the time we had with him.  We thank you, Dad, for fighting and hanging in there, we know you did it for us.  We love you!

A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 3, 2018 at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Walker, MN.  Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Monday, July 2, 2018, at Northern Peace Funeral Home, 114 Tianna Drive, Walker, MN, and a one-hour visitation prior to Mass at the church.  Father Timothy Lange will officiate.  Pallbearers for Walter will be Walter Smith, Jr., Samuel Smith, Ron Cournoyer, Brandon Taylor, Steven Bruce, Jr., and Mikey Rice.  Honorary pallbearers are all of Walter’s family and friends.  A private inurnment of his ashes will be held at a later date.  A celebration of Walter’s life will be held after the services on Tuesday afternoon at the Community Center in Onigum.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Good Samaritan Society, 518 Jefferson Ave., Pine River, MN  56474

Knowing how we always hated saying goodbye to him, he would tell us ‘Later!’, so today we say to you Dad, Grandpa, “See you later!”

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