James E. Smith, 75

James "Jim" Smith

Northrop Services for James “Jim” E. Smith, 75, of Northrop, were held Monday, June 6, 2016, at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Truman, the Reverend Robert Trueblood officiated. Burial will be held at a later date in the St. James Lutheran Church Cemetery in Northrop. Jim passed away following a brief illness Wednesday, June 1, 2016, at his home in Northrop.

James “Jim” Emerell Smith was born on Dec. 4, 1940, on the family farm in Rutland Township, Martin County, the son of Emerell “Bill” and Esther (Kosbab) Smith. He was baptized at home as an infant and later confirmed at the St. James Lutheran Church in Northrop. Jim attended school in Granada and graduated from Granada High School with the class of 1958. Following his graduation, Jim began farming with his dad and later worked as a mechanic at Fairmont Railway Motors and Tyco Plastics, retiring in 2004. He would later work as a custodian for St. James Lutheran Church and Parochial School and also drove bus for the school.

On Sept. 22, 1961, Jim was united in marriage to Janet Ruth Hagen at the Long Lake Lutheran Church near Ormsby. Together the couple made their home in Northrop where they were blessed with three sons, Lonnie, Todd, and Jay, and celebrated over 54 years of marriage. Family was extremely important to Jim. When his boys were young, he loved watching them participate in various sporting events and especially enjoyed watching them play baseball, following them even as they played college baseball. When it came to his grandchildren, Jim was again there in the stands cheering them on as they participated in sports, dance, plays and much more. His passion for baseball was evident during his years spent coaching various Northrop baseball and Fairmont VFW teams.

In his spare time, Jim enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, sharing a laugh and a story over a cup of coffee. He was an avid Twins and Vikings fan and rarely missed the opportunity to watch “Gunsmoke” on T.V. Jim had a special place in his heart for St James Lutheran Church Parochial School and he treasured getting the many kids whose lives he touched to and from school. Jim was a life member of St. James Lutheran Church in Northrop, where he held many different positions and did various jobs. He will be sadly missed by his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Janet Smith, of Northrop; sons, Lonnie (Connie) Smith, of Truman; Todd (Brenda) Smith, Blue Earth, and Jay (Lori) Smith, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; grandchildren, Jorden (Kim) Weihe, Jeffery (Roseann) Weihe, Jared (fianc, Tana Ree) Smith, Jennifer Smith, Jeremy Smith, Katelyn Smith, and Caleb Smith; great-grandchildren, Josie Weihe, Jaxson Weihe, Evelyn Weihe, and Oliver Weihe; sisters, Carol (Daryl) Bartz, Pat Hall, and Linda Maday; in-laws, Marlyn (Maryann) Hagen, Gerald (Michele) Hagen, and Roger (MaryJo) Hagen; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Emerell “Bill” Smith and Esther (Kosbab) Smith-Mohwinkle; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Karl and Edna Hagen; sister-in-law, Sandra Hagen; brother-in-law, Robert Hall; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and other family members.

The family requests memorials be given in Jim’s name to the St. James Lutheran Church and School.

The Lakeview Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Fairmont is assisting the family with arrangements.