Louis Robert Smith

Funeral services for Louis Smith, age 82, of Milaca, formerly of New Brighton, will be held on Monday, March 2, 2015 at 11 AM at Milaca United Methodist Church with Pastor Joyce Slostad officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery in Milaca with military honors provided by Hansen-Hayes American Legion Post #178 & Siemers-Hakes VFW Post #10794. Visitation will be from 2 – 5 PM Sunday at Peterson-Johnson Funeral Home and 1 hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Louis Robert Smith was born November 25, 1932 in St. Paul, MN and as a child he moved with his family to Foreston, MN. He bravely served in the U.S. Army for three years. After his discharge from the service, he married Mary Polson. The couple made their home in New Brighton for forty-five years. Louis worked as an over-the-road truck driver until he retired at the age of 50 years old. After his retirement, they moved to Milaca, where he enjoyed fishing, hunting and gardening. He loved his lake home where he spent many summer weekends with his grandchildren. He passed away peacefully with his family by his side on February 24, 2015. He is survived by wife of 57 years, Mary; children, Patti (Jim) Bohnen, Mary Lou (Randy) Cowan, Cheryl (Mike) Ziegler; seven grandchildren, Jeff Cowan, Melissa (Blake) Bockwoldt, Christy (Matt) Collins, Rick Bohnen, Stacey Cowan (Jason Pantlin), Brian Cowan and Joe Bohnen; four great-grandchildren, Madison and Morgan Collins, Olivia Pantlin and Reed Bockwoldt; step-sister, Mildred (Ron) Van Sickle; cousin, Vernon (Delores) Quam; also by sisters and brothers-in-law, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Nellie (McLean) Smith; step-fathers, August Koch and Frank Striker; also by sisters and brothers-in-law and nieces and nephews.