Richard “Dick” Smook, age 78, of Luverne died Saturday, February 15, 2020, at the Sanford Hospice Cottage in Luverne.
He was born September 2, 1941, in Adrian, to Harm and Rosalia (Reiffenberger) Smook. He attended school in Adrian and Magnolia before graduating from Luverne High School in 1960. After graduation, Dick entered the United States Navy advancing to the rank of Radioman 1st Class. He was discharged honorably in 1969 to care for his three children.
He returned to Luverne with the children and worked briefly in Sioux Falls before working at Terrace Park Dairy ice cream plant in Luverne. His future wife, Rita, began working in the TPD office in the fall of 1972. They married on November 2, 1973, in Luverne. Their marriage was blessed by Fr. Thomas Ploof on December 1, 1978. They lived their entire married lives in Luverne. Terrace Park Dairy was sold to Land ‘O Lakes and the TPD plant was closed, and Dick took early retirement at age 55. He then began work at the LOL Creamery where he worked until his retirement in 1996. In 2014 he began delivering the Star Herald to the businesses in the area.
He was a member of St. Catherine Catholic Church where he served as an usher, Eucharistic Minister, CCD teacher, Ministry of Care Director, the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, where he had served as Grand Knight, and received The Bishops Medal on October 7, 2018. Dick devoted a great deal of time in the service to others. He volunteered at the Luverne Senior Dining, the Mary Jane Brown Home, Sanford Hospice Cottage, the Sanford Luverne Hospital valet and the Back Pack Program for over ten years.
Dick is survived by his wife, Rita Smook, Luverne; four children, Sharon Smook, Adrian; Suzanne Ness, Monroe, South Dakota; Jeff (Virginia) Smook, Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Tony (Marie) Smook, Muskego, Wisconsin; fourteen grandchildren, Ben Smidstra, Christina (Jose) Grijalva, Bethany (friend, Brandon) Smidstra, Melissa (friend, Fadyi) Smidstra, Erin (friend, Jordan) Smidstra, Michael Zimmer, Larry Zimmer, Misty Smook, Chrystal Smook, Kristin (fiancé, Chris) Smook, Katelyn (friend, Jordan) Smook, Kennedy Smook, Alex Smook and Evan Smook; several great-grandchildren; and a brother, Ron (Lois) Smook, Mankato.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Mary Courtney.
Visitation was 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, with parish prayers at 7 p.m., at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Luverne. Visitation was also one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Funeral Mass was 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne, officiated by Monsignor Gerald Kosse and Father Thomas Jennings. A private family burial will be later at the St. Catherine Cemetery in Luverne.
To view an online obituary or order flowers, please visit www.dingmannandsons.com
Arrangements were provided by Dingmann Funeral Home of Luverne, dingmannandsons.com
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