Ken Smith

Kenneth James Smith

Peacefully with family by his side, Ken Smith passed away on Friday, January 16, 2015 at the age of 65 years.  Ken was born on March 27, 1949 in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. He was the fifth of eight children.

Ken was predeceased by parents Ray and Inez Smith, brother Wayne Smith, nephew Trevor Simpson, mother and father-in-law Elmer and Jean Clearwater and sister-in-law Audrey Armishaw. Left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife Joy, daughters Angie (Ian) Mills of Portage la Prairie and Kim (Greg) Humphries of Brandon; grandchildren Jen, Ally, Graysen and Izzy; siblings Gayle (Lyle) Olafson of Cold Lake AB, Tom (Rose) Smith of Moose Jaw SK, Bernice (Terry) Simpson, Courtney (Bonnie) Smith, Susan (Bud) Robertson and Shane (Diane) Smith all of Portage along with many nieces and nephews and their families; as well as brother in law Fred (Barb) Clearwater of Russell, Mb, Cam ( Marjorie) and Jim Armishaw both of Portage.

Ken loved to share a good laugh with friends and family and had a great sense of humor.   He had a wide variety of interests and hobbies including woodworking, hunting, caring for his vehicles and his yard.  He loved morning walks with Echo, attending fall suppers and being at the cottage especially in the quiet seasons as well as his daily coffee at McDonalds.  He enjoyed reminiscing about numerous sports achievements in hockey, baseball, horseshoe and horseback riding.

Ken was extremely loving and proud of his girls and the grandkids. He spent hours driving to watch their activities including hockey, ringette, music, dance, football and gymnastics.  He and Joy would often take long drives where they would explore small Manitoba towns and enjoy their local restaurants.

After his retirement from the MDC, many days were spent on the road. They travelled across Canada and the United States. Finally, taking the plunge by flying in last couple of years only to find out that it wasn’t nearly as bad as he thought it would be. Every time they would come home from a holiday, they would begin planning the next adventure.

A Celebration of Ken's Life will be held on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at 2:00 pm at Trinity United Church led by Rev. Julie Baker.  Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery.

As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Ken’s memory to  Manitoba Liver Transplant Program Phone: (204) 787-5137 or (204) 787-5139 Liver Transplant Clinic, Room GA1  Health Sciences Center, 820 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3A 1R9 http://www.transplantmanitoba.ca

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.  204-857-4021 www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com