Vincent Smith
d. April 21, 2016
Vincent Vernon ‘Vince – Vinnie’ Smith was born on Sept. 20, 1942, in Montevideo, MN, the son of Vernon H. and Ruth V. (Manthey) Smith. He was baptized on Oct. 11, 1942 and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Montevideo, MN, on March 25, 1956. Vince lived on the family farm NE of Montevideo until his father became ill, at which time the family moved into town. Vince helped support his family by working at Art’s Dairy Freeze and also had a paper route.
Vince’s father passed away when he was 13 years old and after his mother re-married, he moved to Biwabik, MN where he graduated from high school in 1961. During his time in Biwabik, Vince became a resort fishing guide and cleaner. He later worked at the Biwabik Cities Service Station where Frank Nachlmann taught him mechanic skills that he carried throughout his life. Vince moved back to Montevideo in 1961 and worked at Larson Brother’s Studebaker Garage. In 1963, Vince began employment with Ted Chamberlain as a surveyor. On June 7, 1969, in Trinity Lutheran Church, Boyd, MN, Vince married Evonne Johnson, the love of his life. They had met on a blind date during Boyd Good Time Days, and dated for 5 years. Theirs was a union of 46 years. Vince was a surveyor for 26 years for Ted Chamberlain until Ted retired. He then worked for Chippewa County part-time for a few years. He also, in the late 60’s started farming part-time on weekends and evenings, eventually pursuing it full time. Vince enjoyed racing snowmobiles and was always eager to pass along his mechanic skills to his sons and many others. As his three sons grew, he taught them many skills on cars, snowmobiles, ATV’s and motorcycles. Vince also did some light mechanic work in the evenings, repairing cars, snowmobiles, motorcycles, ATV’s and auto transmissions for many local residents.
Vince served in the National Guard as a surveyor and was a member of American Legion Post 59 in Montevideo, MN. He was a Cub Scout as a young boy and introduced his sons to Scouting. He enjoyed spending time with his family, including his daughter-in-law Beth and his grandchildren. They accompanied Vince hunting and snowmobiling and took many trips to northern MN and to the Black Hills. He liked farming, but his greatest love was hunting. He took great pride in teaching Evonne and his sons how to hunt, shoot and clean wild game. Whether it be on the home place, the Black Hills, the lake or out in Wyoming, the memories will always live on. He always laughed when Evonne would out-shoot the boys and him.
Vince Was a loving, kind and patient husband, father, grandfather and friend. He became seriously ill last November when diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer. He suffered with Pancreatitis twice and eventually became a resident of Luther Haven Nursing Home. God took away his pain and called him to reside in His heavenly kingdom on Thursday evening, April 21, 2016.
Vince is survived by his loving wife Evonne of Montevideo, MN; his sons- Scott V. of Arkansas, Terry V. of Montevideo, MN and Justin (& Beth) also of Montevideo, MN; grandchildren- Alex, Cole, Hayden & Peyton; his mother- Ruth Thayer of Montevideo and his half-sister Vicki Delak of Florida.
He was preceded in death by his father, his grandparents Mr. & Mrs. Fred Manthey, Mr. & Mrs. Louis A. Smith and his father and mother-in-law Mr. & Mrs. Frank Johnson.
Vince’s father passed away when he was 13 years old and after his mother re-married, he moved to Biwabik, MN where he graduated from high school in 1961. During his time in Biwabik, Vince became a resort fishing guide and cleaner. He later worked at the Biwabik Cities Service Station where Frank Nachlmann taught him mechanic skills that he carried throughout his life. Vince moved back to Montevideo in 1961 and worked at Larson Brother’s Studebaker Garage. In 1963, Vince began employment with Ted Chamberlain as a surveyor. On June 7, 1969, in Trinity Lutheran Church, Boyd, MN, Vince married Evonne Johnson, the love of his life. They had met on a blind date during Boyd Good Time Days, and dated for 5 years. Theirs was a union of 46 years. Vince was a surveyor for 26 years for Ted Chamberlain until Ted retired. He then worked for Chippewa County part-time for a few years. He also, in the late 60’s started farming part-time on weekends and evenings, eventually pursuing it full time. Vince enjoyed racing snowmobiles and was always eager to pass along his mechanic skills to his sons and many others. As his three sons grew, he taught them many skills on cars, snowmobiles, ATV’s and motorcycles. Vince also did some light mechanic work in the evenings, repairing cars, snowmobiles, motorcycles, ATV’s and auto transmissions for many local residents.
Vince served in the National Guard as a surveyor and was a member of American Legion Post 59 in Montevideo, MN. He was a Cub Scout as a young boy and introduced his sons to Scouting. He enjoyed spending time with his family, including his daughter-in-law Beth and his grandchildren. They accompanied Vince hunting and snowmobiling and took many trips to northern MN and to the Black Hills. He liked farming, but his greatest love was hunting. He took great pride in teaching Evonne and his sons how to hunt, shoot and clean wild game. Whether it be on the home place, the Black Hills, the lake or out in Wyoming, the memories will always live on. He always laughed when Evonne would out-shoot the boys and him.
Vince Was a loving, kind and patient husband, father, grandfather and friend. He became seriously ill last November when diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer. He suffered with Pancreatitis twice and eventually became a resident of Luther Haven Nursing Home. God took away his pain and called him to reside in His heavenly kingdom on Thursday evening, April 21, 2016.
Vince is survived by his loving wife Evonne of Montevideo, MN; his sons- Scott V. of Arkansas, Terry V. of Montevideo, MN and Justin (& Beth) also of Montevideo, MN; grandchildren- Alex, Cole, Hayden & Peyton; his mother- Ruth Thayer of Montevideo and his half-sister Vicki Delak of Florida.
He was preceded in death by his father, his grandparents Mr. & Mrs. Fred Manthey, Mr. & Mrs. Louis A. Smith and his father and mother-in-law Mr. & Mrs. Frank Johnson.
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