Perry H. Smith

Perry H. Smith
October 21, 1923 – June 23, 2016
Perry Huston Smith, age 92, of Benson, died Thursday, June 23, 2016 at Golden Living Center – Meadow Lane. Funeral service will be held 10:30 A.M. on Monday, June 27, 2016 at Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ in Benson, MN. Visitation will be held from 2:00 – 5:00 P.M. on Sunday, June 26, 2016 at Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ and will continue for one hour prior to the service on Monday.  Private interment will occur at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ in Benson, MN. Arrangements are with Zniewski Funeral Home in Benson, MN.
    
Perry Huston Smith was born in Swift County, Minnesota to Lester Clifford and Enid Anita (Huston) Smith on October 21, 1923.  He was baptized by Dr. Dixon at the Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ in Benson.  Perry grew up in DeGraff and attended school there.  In those days, you were expected to be a man after graduating from 8th grade.  He worked for many farmers, set pins at the bowling alley, and worked at Shell Station and Tyler Manufacturing.
 
On June 10, 1949, Perry was united in marriage to Helen Joyce Valentine by Dr. Dixon at the Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ.  This union was blessed with more than 67 years of marriage, 8 children, 25 grandchildren, and 35 great-grandchildren.
 
Perry purchased the Shell Station and ran it as Perry’s Oil & Tire.  He loved helping people and doing farm service tire repair.  He retired in 1987 and enjoyed living at Lake Scandi before moving to Benson in 2002.  He enjoyed fishing, hunting, dancing, playing cards and Farkle, and remembering times past.  His family was very important to him.
 
Perry is survived by his wife, Joyce Smith; children: Sandra (Steve) Miller of Atwater, Vicki (Steve) Madsen of Morton, Kathryn Walsh of Murdock, Beverly (Pat) Byrne of DeGraff, Richard (Lucy) Smith of Signal Hill, CA, Janice (Frank) Carlson of Hanover, Karen (Todd) Sester of Rogers, and Angela (Darren) Schultz of Crystal; 24 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; sisters: Lola Clemen of Willmar, Elenore Larson and Cecil Ellingson of Benson; brother, Clifford Smith of Willmar; and many other relatives and friends.
 
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters: Thelma Stottler, Arlene Stottler, Evangeline Smith, and Beulah Lundberg; brothers: Chester Smith, Harold Smith, and Edward Smith; granddaughter, Renae Madsen; and great-grandson, Joshua Orellana.
 
Please sign the guestbook at www.zniewskifuneralhome.com .