GARTH G. SMITH

SPIRIT LAKE - Garth G. Smith, 68, of Spirit Lake, passed away Saturday, April 11, 2009, at Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake. He was born on August 12, 1940, in Rolfe, Iowa, to George and Dorothy (Heathmen) Smith.

Garth graduated from Rolfe High School in 1959. He was united in marriage to Marilynn Eikenberry on August 27, 1961, in Rolfe, Iowa. Garth farmed all of his life, before retiring in 2002.

Garth was a member of the Volunteer Fire Department in Plover, Iowa, and the United Methodist Church, where he served on the board of trustees for many years. He enjoyed spending his spare time reading, traveling, studying genealogy and he truly enjoyed his family and grandchildren's activities.

Garth is survived by his wife, Marilynn Smith of Spirit Lake; a daughter, Dawn Ganaway, and her husband, LaVerne, of Aurora, Colorado; two sons, Jeff Smith, and his wife, Julie, of Okoboji, and Mike Smith, and his wife, Veronika, of Levelland, Texas; four grandchildren, Haley and Ryley Smith and Preston and Jarrell Ganaway; and a brother, Garland Smith, and his girlfriend, Joyce Vader, of Havelock. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Dorothy; a brother, Gary; a sister-in-law, Donna; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Don and Joyce Eikenberry.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, at the United Methodist Church in Spirit Lake. A memorial visitation will be held two hours prior to the service at the United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be sent to www.spiritlakefuneralhome.com

The Schuchert Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.