Dennis Funeral Homes

LOREN SMITH, age 81 of Waterville, passed away at his home on Tuesday, March 4, 2008.

Born October 17, 1926, Loren was raised by his mother, Merle (Smith) Sheldon, and  his step-father, John Sheldon on the family farm.  As a child he attended country school before attending and graduating from Waterville High School.  It was during his senior year in high school that Loren was drafted into the United States Army.  During his service, he trained in the Philippines, and actively served in Japan.  He was directly involved in the aftermath and cleanup of the Hiroshima bombing, and for the remainder of his life he fought a heroic battle with cancer as a result of his work there.  After Loren was honorably discharged from the service, he returned to Waterville where he worked with his step-father on the family farm.  One summer, Loren met Pearl Zimmerman while she was in the area teaching Sunday school as a student of the Northwestern Bible College.  As a young private pilot, Loren flew Pearl home at Christmas time, and continued to fly to her hometown to visit.  On February 20, 1948, they were married at a country church near Merrill, Iowa.  Loren and Pearl later purchased land near Waterville, and have lived there ever since.  Loren loved farming on his John Deere equipment, target and practice shooting, traveling to Disneyland, and he continued to dream of flying.  He was also very involved with the Waterville First Baptist Church when he was a member there, serving as Superintendent, Deacon, and Treasurer.  Most recently, he was a member of Grace Baptist Church in Owatonna, a member of the Elysian American Legion, and a past member of the Waterville VFW.

Loren is survived by his wife, Pearl of Waterville; three children, Janiel (David) Eggestein of Minneapolis, Becky (George) Gilmour of Burnsville, and Bruce (Lori) Smith of Waterville; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two half-brothers, Wade (Joyce) Sheldon of Rochester, NY, and Gary (Natalie) Sheldon of Dent, MN; one half-sister, Ina (Warren) Nystrom of Denton, TX; one uncle, Ralph (Marcella) Smith of Waterville; one brother-in-law, and two sisters-in-law.  He was preceded in death by his parents, and one granddaughter, Stephanie Gilmour.

Visitation will be held from 9-11 AM on Saturday, March 8, 2008 at Grace Baptist Church in Owatonna.  Funeral services will directly follow at 11:00 AM at the church.  A private family interment will take place at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at a later date.  Prosch-Dennis Funeral Home in Waterville is handling arrangements.