Raymond Ronald Alexander Smith

Raymond Smith was born on April 1, 1938 in Assiniboia, the youngest of seven children of Paul and Anna Smith. As a child and young adult, he made several trips to Winnipeg with his family, some of whom moved there, but from the beginning was a “home body” who truly loved being on the family farm, by Verwood, where he spent his entire life. In the early years, he farmed along with his brothers but eventually became the last in the Smith family to still be farming. Receiving the “Century Family Farm Award” in 2008, was among his proudest moments.

On July 4, 1970 Raymond married Waldtraut Ehr at St. John Lutheran Church in Lang. They supported one another through good and bad times, and happily celebrated their 45th Wedding Anniversary, with family and many friends present one year ago. While continuing his father and mother’s farm, Raymond and Waldtraut raised four children and enjoyed countless special and cherished moments and memories. Today, Dorthy, the oldest, resides in Regina along with her husband Nolan Bodnarchuk and their son Ariston; Rose, born minutes before her twin brother Rudy, lives in Assiniboia with her husband Marty Demenciuk, and their children Naythan and Angela; Rudy, the younger twin brother, resides in Verwood with his fiancé Andrea and together they have four children Toby, Emily and Kate and Laura; Aaron, the youngest, lives on the family’s home quarter with his wife Jillian. (Delmar, second youngest deceased)

Raymond loved living and breathing farm life and found great joy in many simple things. He was proud of the years of good crops and that they could withstand the tough years together. He was also proud of the large family garden, including the flowers and fruit trees and would always share what they produced – particularly strawberries. He was the most happy at home, and loved having company. He greatly enjoyed playing cards, was a great crokinole player, and enjoyed metal detecting and collecting coins. He was an accomplished piano player and would make those ivory keys dance on the antique piano. He also played the organ and performed at numerous church functions. His love for ice cream is legendary and he enjoyed his coke with lots of ice. He was a big fan of comedian Red Skelton.

Politics and the role of agriculture in society meant a great deal to Raymond who was willing to share his opinions with anyone, including provincial and federal politicians. He was also full of respect for his brother George, RCAF- Flight Lt.-405 Squadron, who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country in World War II.

Raymond lived a simple and honest hard-working life on the prairies and wanted people to know agriculture and have respect for the land. He loved tractors – especially his Versatile 555 and MF 1100 – and leaves a lot of history behind those steering wheels. In recent years, it would include a furry friend named Blacky.

His love and devotion never wavered for his true long-time companion and care-giver Waldtraut, their children and their spouses and grandchildren. He will always be remembered as a farmer with a heart of gold and somewhere he is in his tractor, in fields of gold, doing what he loved most – Farming.

Arrangements under the direction of Ross Funeral Service, Assiniboia, SK.