Wayne Smith

Wayne Smith, age 75, of Marshall, Minnesota, died on Monday, September 9, 2024, at at Hospice of Murray County in Slayton, Minnesota. Memorial Services are 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 14, 2024, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall, Minnesota. A reception for attendees will follow at the funeral home. Visitation will be held one hour prior to his service, from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall. In lieu of flowers, the family will direct any donations to a local Hospice organization.

Wayne Evan Smith was born on February 10, 1949, in Great Falls, Montana. He was the son of Evan and Natalie (Baker) Smith. Wayne grew up in Great Falls and attended CMR High School, graduating with the class of 1967. Wayne went on to further his education at Eastern Montana College, finishing in 1971. He played football all through high school and college and was also the state's shot-put champion.

Later that same year Wayne was united in marriage to Pam Adams and the couple made their home in Billings, Montana. They had three children together before separating in the early 1980s. Wayne then lived and worked in Idaho for a time before moving to Minnesota in 1990. The next year he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Donna Norrander (Dietz), on June 28 at St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Marshall. They were the first couple to be married in the current church building. They shared 33 years of marriage together and made their home in Marshall. Wayne enjoyed 8 years of traveling with Donna to their condo in Cancun, Mexico. They also enjoyed rounds of golf and spending time with family and friends, even with his onset of MS the couple always found ways to enjoy life.

While in Idaho and Montana, Wayne worked for the Schwan’s Food Company running routes and was also involved in sales. He later shifted to marketing manager prior to his retirement in 2000. He spent over 20 years with the company and traveled extensively for work. Wayne liked refereeing high school football games in his spare time and many weekends were spent camping with his children at Lake Seeley in Montana. His other enjoyments in life involved making ink pens and woodworking.

Wayne Smith died peacefully on Monday, September 9, 2024. He had reached the age of 75 years, 6 months, and 30 days. Blessed be his memory.

He is survived by his wife, Donna Smith of Marshall; 3 children, Tristie Smith of Billings, MT, Tressa Schwab of Denver, CO, Trevor Smith of Gunnison, CO; step-children, Stacy (and Reid ) Jorgensen of Tyler, MN, Scott Norrander of Wichita, KS; 3 grandchildren, Alicia Pepin, MaKenna Schwab, Haley Schwab; 5 step-grandchildren, Taylor Jorgensen, DeLani Gylling, Cameron Jorgensen, Madison Norrander, Hunter Norrander; 5 great-grandchildren; sister, Julie Hannon of Great Falls, MT; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Sherry Frasure.