John O Smeby, Jr.

Johnny Olando Smeby Jr., 84, of Mason City, Iowa, went to be with his Lord on Wednesday, August 23, 2017, at the Good Shepherd Health Center, in Mason City. Visitation will be on Tuesday, August 29 from 9:30 AM. Funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM with Pastor Kathy Graves officiating on Tuesday, both at Trinity Lutheran Church, 213 N. Pennsylvania Avenue. Interment will take place in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery with military honors conducted by the Mason City Veterans Association.

John was born September 26, 1932, in rural Hanlontown, Iowa. A son of John and Olga (Sorensen) Smeby. He graduated from Hanlontown High School in 1951, John was sworn in to the army on October 27, 1952. He honorably served two tours in Korea. He married Ruth Ann Skjerseth on December 20, 1968, in Hanlontown. They farmed together just north of Hanlontown until they retired and moved to Mason City. John attended Grace Lutheran Church in Hanlontown for many years growing up and as a parent taught Sunday school there. He enjoyed spending time with his family and enjoyed listening to gospel music. He loved the beauty of nature.

John is survived by his wife, Ruth of Mason City; his children Nathan (Laurie) Skjerseth, Joy (Dale) Thompson, Beth Sasse, Janice (Brian) Heyer, Mary Smeby and grandchildren, Katie (Joe) Brandstatter, Kelsey (Danny) Kleinheinz, Erik Skjerseth, Amy Skjerseth, Christopher (Desiree) Sasse, Shelly Sasse and Evan Heyer and great grandchild Elsie Sasse; brothers Wally (Criss) Smeby and Glenn (Janet) Smeby, sister Viola (Jerry) Jurasek; sisters-in-law Linda and Verna Smeby. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister-in-law Jan (Wally) Smeby, his brothers Royden (Verna) Smeby and Byron (Linda) Smeby.

Our family will be forever grateful to all the amazing professionals who have helped us take care of John over the past years, and we are thankful for the thoughts and prayers of our friends and family and everyone who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church, Mason City, IA 50401.