John Smeby, 84 died peacefully on Monday, June 11, 2007 at Innovis Hospital in Fargo, ND surrounded by his loving family.


Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Thursday, June 14, 2007 at Grace Lutheran Church in Grygla, MN with Pastor Jerry Johnson, Pastor John Barkman and Rev. Gary Gilthvedt officiating. Burial will follow at Valle Cemetery in rural Grygla, MN.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM Wednesday, June 13, 2007 with a 7:00 PM prayer service at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the funeral at the church.

John Henry Smeby was born May 1, 1923 near Grygla, MN the son of Even and Randi (Dybendal) Smeby. He was baptized and confirmed at the Valle Lutheran Church in Benville Township, Beltrami County, MN. He attended Dalos Country School and graduated from Goodridge High School in 1942.

Following high school John stayed home to help on the family farm and eventually joined in partnership with his brothers, Albert and Robert. He also worked many winters in the woods north of Fourtown. Since 1972, he has farmed with his son, Lowell.

He was united in marriage to Doris Arlene Teigland on December 10, 1950 at the Grygla Lutheran Parsonage. To this union six children were born, Jim, Lowell, Paul, Nancy, Pam and JoAnn. John has continued to live and farm in Benville Township throughout his years.

John enjoyed the farm and all aspects of it. He especially liked his dairy cows and remembering the early years of farming with horses. John enjoyed playing baseball, softball, basketball, watching the Twins on television and riding his 4-wheeler and golf cart. The most valuable part of Johns life was his wife of 56 ½ years, Doris. He treasured the time spent with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchild.

John attended the Community Bible Church in Grygla, MN. He was Benville Township Assessor for a number of years, served on the Grygla Creamery Board, and was Valle Cemetery Sexton for many years. He served on the Grygla School Board for 23 years and was chairman for a number of years. John played an instrumental role in getting the high school built in Grygla.

Survivors include his wife, Doris of Grygla; 6 children, Jim (Eileen) Smeby of Fertile, MN, Lowell (Rochelle) Smeby of Grygla, MN, Paul (Marie) Smeby of Thief River Falls, MN, Nancy (Perry) Hubbard of Costa Rica/Panama; Pam (Tim) Mostrom of Grygla, MN, and JoAnn (John) Orpen of Battle Lake, MN; 14 grandchildren, Shane (Erin), Kyle (Michelle), Jay, Nicholas (Fiance, Lisa Scherping), Gretchen, Sarah, Kelly, John (Valerie), Jeffrey, Jessica, Randi, David, Ben and Laura; 1 great-granddaughter, Jersey Gamer; sister, Evelyn Reiger of Poulsbo, WA; brother, Robert (Mavis) Smeby of Grygla, MN; he is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

John is preceded in death by his parents; a sister in infancy; brother, Albert; and daughter-in-law, Patti Smeby.

ORGANIST: Kim Cleven
SOLOIST: Jodi Schulz The New 23rd
SPECIAL MUSIC: Marie Smeby In The Garden
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder & There Is Power In The Blood
CASKETBEARERS: Shane Smeby, Kyle Smeby, Jay Smeby, Nicholas Smeby, John Hubbard, Jeff Hubbard, David Orpen, Ben Orpen
SPECIAL READINGS: Kelly Smeby, Shane Smeby, Kyle Smeby & Jeff Hubbard