Ronald "Gene" Eugene Smith

Gene, age 95, passed away on Friday, September 1, 2023, at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center in Osage. A graveside memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 21st, at the Osage Cemetery with Military Honors be Osage V.F.W. followed by a light luncheon at the VFW Post in Osage at noon. Gene was born on September 4, 1927, to Edith and Lyle Smith. He graduated from Charles City High School in 1945 and then started his career with the then Northwestern Bell Telephone Company and after his first week served almost two years in the U.S. Navy doing an assignment in the Philippines. After his military duty, he resumed his career at Northwestern Bell (US West) and retired in 1990 after 44 years of service in the area. He married Monica (Sutter) from West Union in 1949 and they resided in Charles City until his work transferred him to Osage in 1956. Gene was an active member at Trinity Lutheran Church additionally holding different offices over the years and singing in the choir. He was a city volunteer fireman for over 20 years. When he was in high school, he lettered in many sports such as football, basketball, and baseball, and as a youth during the winter months ice skated prolifically on the Cedar River. He continued his love of sports as an avid spectator whether it was local, college, or professional games. He enjoyed tinkering with electrical, electronic, and mechanical things that used his problem-solving skills. Before and during retirement, he enjoyed learning more about computers and creating pictures from wood fragments and framing. He also enjoyed socializing whether in card clubs or visiting with the guys for coffee most mornings at Lucy’s. Throughout his life, he always cared for and pampered a pet. He is survived by a daughter, Cheryl (Bruce) Gast, of Osage and a son, Steven, of Kansas City, Missouri; two grandchildren, Ben (Kristina) Gast of Durant and Mathew (Melanie) Gast of Osage; and four great-grandchildren, Macy, Ethan, Max, and Colby. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edith and Lyle Smith; his wife Monica; his brother Robert and his wife, Mary; and a niece, Renee Stonebrook. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family to designate for charities that were meaningful to Gene. Champion Funeral Home 641-732-3706