Kenneth Smith

Cremation services for Kenneth E. Smith have taken place. A family burial will be planned for a later date with military honors. Clausen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Ken Smith was born on March 3, 1929. He attended Sunnyside School for his first eight years of school and then attended Burke High School, graduating in 1947. While in high school, he participated in football, track, and boxing. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, and spent most of his four years in Japan and Korea, and attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. After the service he attended Southern State Teachers College, and worked one year in Winner as a mechanic. He returned to the farm and spent the rest of his life farming with his dad, and taking care of his folks in their later years. During the earlier years when not farming he spent a lot of time playing baseball for the Lucas and Burke ball clubs as a pitcher for these teams.

He was a lifetime member in the V.F.W. in Burke. He took pride in caring for his livestock and pets consisting of many dogs. Ken was able to stay on the farm, the last few years because of help from Brandon and Dale York along with Brandon’s family.

Kenneth E. Smith, age 94, passed away on January 10, 2025. He is survived by his brother Ron of Kansas; nieces, nephews, and many relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents George and Maude (Stevicks) Smith; brother George; sister Marie and her husband Verlyn Springer; and sister in law Mary Alice Smith.

Memorials may be given to the George Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund, or the Burke High School Foundation Fund, c/o Clausen Funeral Home.