Funeral services for 71-year-old Dennis “Denny” Smedsrud of Windom, Minnesota, will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday morning, September 14, 2015, at the American Lutheran Church in Windom. The church is located at 906 Prospect Avenue.
Visitation will be Sunday, September 13, 2015, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at LaCanne Family Funeral Service in Windom, located at 2280 6th Avenue. A second visitation will be at the church the day of the funeral service from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Military honors will be provided by American Legion Post #206.
Funeral arrangements are by LaCanna Family Funeral Service.
Dennis “Denny” Smedsrud passed away at his home in Windom, with his family at his side, on Wednesday, September 9, 2015.
Dennis “Denny” Lee Smedsrud was born on November 25, 1943, in Windom, Minnesota, the son of the late Clifford Alfred and Hazel Fern (Richardson) Smedsrud, Sr. He was baptized and confirmed at the American Lutheran Church in Windom. Denny received his education in the Windom Public Schools; graduating in the Class of 1962. He then enlisted in the United States Marines in June 1962 and served his country honorably during the Vietnam War until being honorably discharged in October 1966.
On October 2, 1967, Denny was united in marriage to Sheila Rae Gravley in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. They then lived in Bloomington, Minnesota, for 10 years where Denny worked for Federal Stamping before moving to Windom in 1977. Through the years, Denny also worked for Caldwell Packing and then at AGCO in Jackson before retiring on January 1, 2015.
Denny was diagnosed with cancer many years ago and fought the disease courageously.
He was a longtime member of Karz-n-Trux Car Club, and also had many enjoyments in life which included hot rods, sprint car racing, going on car cruises with the Karz-n-Trux Club and being with his family.
Dennis is survived by his wife of 48 years, Sheila of Windom; two children, Dan (Kelly) Smedsrud of Okabena, Minnesota and Trisha Grant (Doug) of Windom; nine grandchildren, Michael, Mariah, Chad, Josh, Cody, Ethan, Dillon, Cameron and Brienna; one brother, Randy (Deb) Olson; sisters, Penny (Joe) Raia of Windom; Sandi Hunter of Windom and Robin Johnston and Linette Goodknight of Eldora, Iowa; brothers and sisters-in-law, Deb (Rod) Byam of Windom; June Koch of Windom; Ted Koch of Windom; Gordy (Debbie) Gravley of Windom; Jeff (Bonnie) Gravley of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; David (Kathy) Gravley of New Ulm; Amy (Justin) Riihl of Mountain Lake; Pat Smedsrud of Windom and Ruth Ann Arnold of Grandridge, Illinois and several nieces, nephews and other family members.
He was preceded in death by his parents; step-father, Harold Olson; five brothers, Rex Arnold, Clifford Smedsrud, Jr. and Glenn, David and Eldo Smedsrud and father and mother-in-law, Kenneth and Gloria Gravley.