Date of Birth:
Thursday, October 20, 1932
Date of Death:
Friday, February 9, 2024
Age:
91 years old

James R. “Jim” Smith

James R. Smith,91, of Byron/Rochester, MN died February 9, 2024 at Cottagewood, Rochester, MN.

 Jim was born October 20, 1932, in Rock Dell, MN to Noal and Olga (Thorson) Smith. When he was 2 yrs. old, the family moved to the family farm in Salem township where he lived until he was 89 years old.   On August 19, 1950, he married Patricia L. Moulton, and they celebrated their 72^nd wedding anniversary on August 15, 2023.   Jim and Pat lived on the family farm where they raised 5 daughters until they moved to Madonna Meadows in Rochester, MN, in 2022.  Pat went to her heavenly home on 11/6/2023.

 Jim was a career farmer in Salem Township and as traditional farming warranted, he was also an inventor, builder, and mechanic.  When his farming career ended, he continued his rounds on a lawnmower neatly caring for acres of land around the house and barn.  He was always a wonderful husband and father through good times and bad. He often said that he loved Pat more on their 72^nd anniversary than when they were teenagers meeting for ice cream cones at Salem Corners Store.  He always had time to play with his daughters even after a long, exhausting day in the fields.

 Jim was a kind, gentle man who loved to laugh and always had a story to tell. His faith in God was very important to him.  Jim and Pat were longtime members of East St. Olaf Lutheran Church and, in more recent years, South Zumbro Lutheran Church in rural Kasson, MN. 

 He is survived by his daughters, Jeanne (Dan) Nadenicek of Athens, GA, Virginia (Mike) Roberts of Waterloo, IA, Cindy (Steve) Plopper of LaCrosse, WI, Marilyn (Bob) Duncan of Knoxville, TN, and Susan (Mike) Hougas of Kasson, MN; 13 grandchildren; and 31 great-grandchildren.

 Services, with Pastor Pete Wyttenbach officiating, are Friday, February 16, 2024 at Byron Funeral Home, Byron, MN. Visitation is at 10 am and the funeral service at 11 am.  Jim will be buried following the funeral service at East St. Olaf Cemetary near Rock Dell, MN.

 The family prefers memorials to South Zumbro Lutheran Church or Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo, Kasson, MN.