August 31, 1930 ~ November 8, 2025
Ralph Paul Smith, 95, of McIntire, Iowa, passed away Saturday, November 8, 2025, at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center in Osage.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m., Thursday, November 13, 2025, at Sacred Heart Oratory in Meyer, Iowa, with Father Parrott officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at the Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home in Riceville from 4:00 -7:00 p.m., and one hour prior to the services at the church on Thursday. Burial will be at the Sacred Heart Cemetery. Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home in Riceville is assisting the family.
Ralph Paul Smith was born on August 31, 1930, son of Albert and Margaret (Mullenbach) Smith. Ralph attended school until the 8th grade in Johnsburg, MN. On May 18, 1953, Ralph married Beverly Low at Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Austin, MN. The following year he was drafted by the United States Army, and served in Japan during the Korean Conflict from July 22, 1954 to July 31,1956.
Ralph was a farm boy through and through. He enjoyed working cattle, crop farming, driving tractors, 4-wheelers, and custom farm work. If someone was in need of help, Ralph was always willing to lend a hand. He could be found keeping his hands and mind busy in his shop. He liked woodworking, welding, or designing and fabricating just about anything.
Ralph enjoyed going to coffee and hearing the latest area news, speaking in German, watching Lawrence Welk, and listening to polka music. He had a great knowledge of family history that he shared with others. Ralph lived his married vows every day for the past 72 years. He loved Beverly’s cookies and tormenting her. He was very proud of the family they built together, and the people his grandchildren were becoming.
He is survived by his beloved wife Beverly Smith; son Owen Smith; daughter Joan (Bill) Heinzerling and their sons Christopher (Allison) Heinzerling and Nathan (Bethany) Heinzerling; son Kenny (Judy) Smith and their daughter Melody Smith; daughter Julie (Jerry) Siemonsma and their daughter Elizabeth (Jay) Cody; daughter Rita (Daniel) DeGroot and their children Anna, Xavier, and Meredith DeGroot; 8 stepgrandchildren Greg (Liz) Horning, Heather (Cory) Warburton, Daniel (Hannah) Horning, Nick Lewis; 6 great grandchildren Maya, Julian, Kaedyn, McKynlee, Daelynn, Rhayna; and 1 great great grandson Wyatt; and many family and friends.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, sons Mark and David Smith, granddaughter Jessica Heinzerling, grandson Jacob Putney, and his siblings.
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