Obituary for Kent E. Smith, age 73

A Memorial Service for Kent E. Smith of Warroad, MN will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 2:00PM at Warroad Union Congregational  Church. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will take place at America Cemetery at a later date. 

Kent E. Smith passed away on February 18, 2026, at the age of 73, at his home in Warroad, MN surrounded by family.

Kent was the oldest child born to Gerald and JoAnn (Kessey) Smith on May 1, 1952, in Chicago, Illinois. He lived in Oak Forest, Illinois until 1961 when they moved to Bemidji, Mn. He attended a one room schoolhouse for 2 years before moving to Three Island Lake north of Bemidji. He graduated from Bemidji High School in 1971. After high school he was a carpenter for his dad’s company American Garages.  In 1973, he met the love of his life, and they were married May 25, 1974, at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Trail, MN. After getting married, they owned and operated Don’s Cleaning Service in Bemidji for 6 years. During that time their son and daughter were born. They owned a small corner grocery store before moving to Warroad in 1988 to work at Marvin Windows. He retired from Marvin Windows in 2010.

Kent attended church regularly throughout his life. After moving to Warroad, he helped to establish and build Lake of the Woods Baptist Church.  He was currently attending Woodland Bible Church.   

Kent enjoyed turkey and deer hunting trips with his son. He enjoyed snowmobiling, four-wheeling, camping, woodworking, and watching the birds out of his window. After his retirement he enjoyed vacationing with family and spending time at home with his wife.

He is survived by his wife Penny; children, Kyle (Nancy) Smith, Amanda (Chad) Thompson; grandchildren, Savannah (Kyle) Wahlberg, Matthew Hodek, Evan Smith, Lillian Smith, Samuel Thompson, Benjamin Thompson, and Alexander Thompson; great-grandchildren, Harper, Graham, Emery, and Easton; sister, Pamela Hamilton and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Gerald and JoAnn Smith and his siblings Deborah Verke, Daniel Smith, and Joel “Zoopa” Smith.

A special thank you to HIA Hospice for your wonderful support and care that allowed Kent to be at home for his last days.