Owen Leroy Smith

Owen Leroy Smith, 60, of Garretson, South Dakota, passed away on Friday, November 6, 2026, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Funeral service will be 2:00 PM, Saturday, November 14, 2026, at Zion Lutheran Church in Garretson, SD with Rev. Corey Scott officiating. Burial will follow in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Garretson.

A time of visitation with family present will begin at 12:30 PM until the time of service at 2 on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the family.

Owen Leroy Smith was born on March 29, 1966, in Williston, North Dakota, to Milton and Leona (Stevens) Smith. He was raised on the family farm seven miles west of Epping, North Dakota, where he lived until graduating from Epping Public School in 1984. After graduation, he attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, where he studied accounting.

In his early twenties, Owen married Dawn Lere, and together they had three children. Their marriage later ended in divorce. He went on to marry Nora Ross, with whom he had one child. Through that marriage, he also became a stepfather to four children.

While attending college, Owen worked for Pizza Patrol in Grand Forks. He later moved to Fargo, where he advanced to a management position with the company. He went on to work for Schwan’s for several years, a job that brought him to Harvey, North Dakota. He later moved to Minot, where he worked as a truck driver for Strata and as a blackjack dealer for Minot Junior Golf Association. In 2019, he moved to the Sioux Falls, South Dakota, area. After the move, he worked as a bartender and bookkeeper at The Valley Corner Bar until his health declined in 2026.

Owen loved spending time with his family and friends and returning to the family farm whenever he could. Meeting new people and forming friendships were among the highlights of his life. He enjoyed shooting pool with his team in Minot, leatherwork, word puzzles, and golfing whenever he had the chance.

Earlier this year, Owen had the opportunity to see one of his favorite teams, the Minnesota Twins, play in person. He also enjoyed watching and cursing at the Minnesota Vikings.

Owen is survived by his children, Joshua (Allison) of Moorhead, Minnesota; Justin of West Fargo, North Dakota; Crystal Strensgard (Angel Mila) of Fargo, North Dakota; and Marissa (Bryce) Stoterau of Garretson, South Dakota.

He is also survived by his grandchildren, Cameron Smith, Arianna Smith, Grayson Smith, Brayden Crossley-Smith, Jeffrey Stensgard, Michelle Stensgard, and Raelynn Smith.

Also surviving him are his sister, Kathy Zent (Earl Killingsworth) of Epping, North Dakota; his sister-in-law, Meloni Barman of Bakersfield, California; and many nieces and nephews spanning several generations.

Owen was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Wayne, Dean, and Keith; and his two great-nephews, Simon and Evan.