Vernon J. Smith

Vernon Smith, age 95, of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota died on Saturday October 12, 2024 at St. Mary Medical Center, Hobart, Indiana in the company of his children.
Vernon J Smith was born April 19, 1929 in Aneta, North Dakota, the eldest of two sons of Walter and Helga (Olson) Smith. He was a member of Cormorant Lutheran Church of Lake Park, Minnesota and attended Our Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in North Little Rock, Arkansas in the winter months.
He graduated from Page High School in 1947, from Concordia College in 1951 and received his MS degree from University of lowa in 1957. He was a talented mathematician, receiving his designation from the Society of Actuaries in 1962 and worked as an actuary in Appleton, Wisconsin, Fargo, North Dakota and Wichita, Kansas.
On June 15, 1955 he married the love of his life, Alyce Mitchell. They had two children, Sabina Amen from Portage, Indiana and Steve Smith from La Crosse, Wisconsin. In 1964 they moved from Appleton, Wisconsin to Fargo, North Dakota to raise their children. In 1984 they moved to Wichita, Kansas where they continued their careers. Upon retirement they moved their home to Pelican Lake in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. During retirement he and Alyce spent their first six winters in Phoenix, Arizona and subsequent winters in North Little Rock Arkansas. Alyce passed away on June 6, 2018. Vern was devoted to his family and friends (including the dogs and cats) and was a compassionate, caring person who embodied integrity and personal responsibility. He dutifully worked at the Page Cafe helping his mother at a young age. Later, he joined the North Dakota National Guard and was soon activated and sent to George Air Force Base, California until his release two years later on December 31, 1952. After his beloved wife, Alyce suffered a stroke in 2017, he devoted his life to her remarkable recovery until a second stroke took her life in 2018 .
Vern is survived by his daughter Sabina Amen and husband Mark; son, Steve Smith and wife, Carol; grandchildren Garion Amen and wife Jordan of North Little Rock; Arkansas, Cooper Smith and wife Millie of Fargo, North Dakota and Hayley Smith of La Crosse, Wisconsin; great-grandchildren Sadie, Julia and Emma Amen of North Little Rock, Arkansas. 
Memorials may be made to Cormorant Lutheran Church in Lake Park, Minnesota or Our Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in North Little Rock, Arkansas.
Memorial Service will be Friday, June 13, 2025 at 11 a.m. at Cormorant Lutheran Church in Lake Park, Minnesota.