Saturday, June 24, at United Methodist Church in Fairmont. Those wishing to view the service may do so on the following link, :https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/3417380582.

Jo passed away Saturday, June 17, 2023, at her home at Woodland Manor in Fairmont. Memorials are preferred to the new daycare center at Lakeview Methodist Health Care Center. Lakeview Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Fairmont is assisting the family with arrangements.

Josephine Redenius Smith was born Dec. 22, 1927, to Joseph and Bessie Redenius on the family farm near Harrold, S.D. At the age of 5 she moved to Minnesota where she graduated from Worthington High School in June 1944. It was a time of unusual happenings because of World War II. The men enlisted in the armed services as quickly as possible to defend our country. Many boys under the age of 18 had parents sign so they could go before finishing high school. This caused a shortage of teachers. Jo took advantage of the accelerated two year program that Mankato State Teachers College offered at that time. She began teaching at Walnut Grove, Minn. in January of 1946. She later finished her degree. While teaching in Pipestone, Minn. she met returning serviceman Carl Smith. They were married Dec. 27, 1951. After several moves, they settled in Fairmont in 1955. They were blessed with two daughters, Karla and Shannon. Jo enjoyed teaching and was employed by the Fairmont School System for many years, retiring in 1990.Jo was an active member of the United Methodist Church of Fairmont and an avid believer in prayer. She was an outdoor person who enjoyed her flowers and birds. But, her family was her top priority. She was always so glad to hear what was happening with all of them. After retiring, Carl and Jo enjoyed traveling as much as possible.

Jo is survived by her husband, Carl Smith; daughters, Karla (William) Clark of Prior Lake, Minn. and Shannon (George) Deer of Eagan, Minn.; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Ryan (Katie) Shuck and their children, Julianne, Jeremey and Joshua; Lindsay (John)

Eidel and their children, Cullen and Claire; Eric (Samantha) Hinderaker and their children, Hadley and William; Laura (Peter) Christian and their children, twins Henry and Theodore and new baby arriving this week; Alison (Dan) Schumann and their son, Charlie; step-sister, Renella Busk of Willmar, Minn.; several cousins, nieces and nephews.

www.lakeviewfuneralhome.net

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]