Ronald Merle Smith, age 73, of Benson, passed away on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, at the Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar, Minnesota. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, November 9, 2012, at St. Malachy Catholic Church in Clontarf, Minnesota with Father Brian Oestreich officiating. Burial will be in the St. Malachy Catholic Cemetery. Friends may call from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, November 8, 2012, where there will be a Parish Prayer Service at 5:30 p.m. and a Rosary to follow, at St. Malachy Catholic Church in Clontarf and for one hour prior to the service at the Church. Ronald Merle Smith, was born on March 30, 1939, in Benson, Minnesota, the son of Elmer Clinton and LaVerne Loretta (Bouta) Smith. He was baptized on April 16, 1939 at St. Malachy Catholic Church in Clontarf, Minnesota by Father Richard G. King and confirmed on June 5, 1952 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Benson. Ronald grew up and attended school in Benson. He moved to Willmar in 1984 and then moved back to Benson in 1985. Throughout the years, Ronald drove a milk truck in Benson, delivered papers for the Willmar Tribune, worked at Jenni-O, Hardee's, Burger King, and McKinney's Restaurant until retiring in 2000. In 2002, he moved to the Appleton area. After a stroke in November of 2006, he moved to the Appleton Nursing Home in January of 2007 where he lived until his passing at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar. He attained the age of 73 years, 7 months, and 7 days. Ronald served in the Army National Guard, 1st Battalion, 136th Infantry Regiment, in Morris, Minnesota. Among the things he enjoyed were watching television and the Vikings, word find books, playing darts, bowling, fishing, collecting toy Peterbilt trucks, the outdoors and trail riding with his children, and spending time with his grandchildren. He is survived by his children, Kristina (Jason) Brotzel, Jamiee (Leonard) Tosel, and Shawna Smith (special friend Matt Spohr) all of Appleton; grandchildren, Elizabeth, Adrianna, and Maximus Tosel; siblings, Ray (Bonnie) Smith of Benson, James Smith of St. Cloud, and Michael (Kari) Smith of Blaine; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Ronald was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and LaVerne Smith; his brother, Robert Smith; and three brothers in infancy.
