Obituary: Lynn Duane Smith

Lynn (“Smitty”) Duane Smith, 68, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, after a beautiful day of family and friends at his bedside.

He was born on March 24, 1951 in St. Paul, Minnesota to Lowell and Diane Smith. Lynn graduated from White Bear Lake High School in 1969 and went on to attend Bemidji State University. There he played hockey and helped lead the Beavers to multiple division championships.

Lynn married Barbara Lynn Holgate on June 9, 1979 and they settled in Cloquet, Minnesota, where they had two sons. His outgoing, easy personality served him well in his career as a salesman of material handling equipment for the Nott Company, then later for Wolf and Associates in Elk River. He was well-liked and respected by many.

Smitty loved life and had a contagious sense of fun, and made many friends along the way. He especially enjoyed hockey, golf, hunting and NASCAR. He was active in the Cloquet Hockey Association, coaching youth, and refereeing at the high school level. He was honored this year at the Founders Cup tournament. He enjoyed the summers at the Cloquet Country Club, golfing Thursday league and his beloved Saturday morning golf with his buddies. Smitty loved the fall hunting season up in Canada, and the deer shack in Northern Minnesota. He was often going to see his buddy race at Proctor and Superior Speedways. And the annual Smith family snowshoe hike was anticipated each winter.

Lynn was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived and will be dearly missed by his wife of 40 years, Barbara Lynn (“Sam”); devoted sons Beau and Eric; sisters Debbie (Bob) Weber and LeeAnn (Jeff) Carpenter; brother, Mark (Jeanine) Smith; sister-in-law, Julie Holgate; brother- and sister-in-law Jay and Maria Holgate; nieces and nephews Angie (Andrew) Taggart, Dan (Courtney) Weber, Adam (Jasmine) Weber, Kayle (Emily) Carpenter, Al (Megan) Carpenter, and Austin and Dylan Smith; special uncle, Darhl Nelson; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins; and many dear and beloved friends.

The family would like to thank Dr. Ken Ripp, Dr. Homam Alkaied, and the staffs at Raiter Clinic, St. Luke’s, Community Memorial Hospital specialty clinics, Kindred at Home, and St. Croix Hospice.

Visitation: 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. memorial service Wednesday, Sept. 25 at Zion Lutheran Church in Cloquet. Immediately following, there will be a Celebration of Life at the Cloquet Country Club Golf Course in Cloquet.