Kenneth E. Smith passed away on January 10, 2025. Ken was born on March 3, 1929. He was 94 years old. He attended Sunnyside School for his first eight years of school and then attended Burke High School, graduating 1947. While in High School he participated in football, track, and boxing. After High School, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, he spent most of his four years in Japan and Korea, he attained the rank of Staff Sergeant.

After the service he attended Southern State Teachers College, and worked one year in Winter 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, his favorite fur friends were Stacy, Blackie and Dakota. Ken was able to stay on the farm the last few years because of the help from Brandon and Dale York along with Brandon's family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Maude (Stevicks) Smith, Brother George, Sister Marie, her husband Verlyn Springer, Sister in law Mary Alice Smith. He is survived by his brother Ron of Kansas. Nieces Angela Spellman, Robin Van Hove, Jolene, (Harold) Eichmann, Nephews, Terry Springer, Wayne Springer, and many relatives and friends.

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