Kent Smeby, 1943-2016

Published 9:32 am Monday, November 28, 2016

Kent Mac Smeby, 73, of rural Austin passed away at his home Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016.   

Kent was born Jan. 20, 1943, to George and Norma (McFarland) Smeby in Austin. On March 20, 1960, Kent married Betty Braaten at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hollandale. Kent was proud of his service in the U.S. Naval Air where he attained the rank of AMS-4.  Kent accomplished everything that he set his mind to. He was generous to his family and his church, tackling any task with confidence. He was a 4-H leader and active with Moscow Lutheran Church. He had an entrepreneurial spirit and shared his knowledge freely with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was an ironworker, farmer, fabricator of hog equipment, draft horse showman and co-founder of K&K Fabrication Inc. His hobbies included woodworking, antique tractor restoration and fishing. Kent and Betty enjoyed their time with family and friends on the Mississippi River in Wabasha. His legacy is “We can do anything we set our mind to” and “Smebys never give up.”

Kent Smeby

Kent Smeby

He is survived by his wife, Betty; children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren: daughter, Kim (Steve) Zenk of Albert Lea, grandson, Tim (Katrina) Zenk, of rural Hollandale, great-grandchildren Ole, Steven, Isaac, Amelia, Clara and Henry, granddaughter, Katie (Chris) Hebblewhite, great-granddaughter, Kari, daughter, Kris (Bill) Wilkie, of rural Hollandale, granddaughter, Jill (Brent) Tweed, of Hayward, great-granddaughter, Brennyn, grandson, Adam Wilkie, of Denver, son, Kurt (Cindy) Smeby, of rural Austin and grandchildren Kevin, Kendra and Kallie Smeby. He is also survived by siblings Kathy (Virgil) Asbury, Kraig (Doris) Smeby and Keith (Connie) Smeby; sisters-in-law Marg (Bennie) Mueske, Mabel (Jerry) Shatek, Pam (David) Fink and Nancy (Dave) Uecker; and aunts, uncle, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Email newsletter signup

He was preceded in death by his parents George and Norma Smeby; parents-in-law Ole and Doris Braaten; and great-granddaughter, Ruthie Grace Zenk.

His family said, “God bless the memories we have of our husband, dad, grandpa and great-grandpa.”

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Moscow Lutheran Church with the Rev. Waldemar Gies officiating. Interment will be in Moscow Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be at from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary and from 1 p.m. to the time of service at the church on Wednesday.