Obituary of Donald Logan Smith

Don was a long-time resident of Edina and most recently at The Colony in Eden Prairie. He passed away peacefully at age 88, on April 14, 2018, surrounded by his loving family. Don was a beloved husband, dad, grandfather, and friend. He will be greatly missed! Don was born on May 26, 1929 in Milwaukee, WI. He was adopted by Ida and Leon Smith of Kohler, WI. Don grew up in Kohler, a town he dearly loved. He graduated from Lawrence College, where he majored in Psychology and Economics. He then went on to graduate school at the University of Wisconsin (Madison), where he received a Master's Degree in Economics. On August 14, 1950, Don married the love of his life, the former Janet Richey. They were inseparable until her death in 2008. Don and Janet had a wonderful life together and were blessed to have two children, Stephen Logan and Sandra Lee. They raised their family in both Kohler and Edina. On vacations, the family enjoyed camping and traveling throughout the United States. Additionally, Don and Janet enjoyed many international trips together. Don loved people, and that was reflected both in his work and in his life. He worked for more than 34 years at The Kohler Company in Kohler and at Control Data Corporation in Minneapolis. Don worked in Human Resources and served as a Training Director in the areas of Management Development and Technical Education. While at Control Data, he conducted management training courses throughout the United States and in seven other countries. Don had many interests and passions. He loved sports. In high school, he played football, basketball, and baseball and ran track. He also participated in the choir and band. His first paying job was singing and cantoring at a church in Sheboygan, WI. He loved music and sang with choirs at Lawrence College and in churches for over 70 years. During his life, Don was a faithful member of three church congregations: United Church of Christ in Sheboygan, Colonial Church in Edina, and Normandale Lutheran Church in Edina. As a member of these congregations, Don sang in the choirs and served on various committees. He also enjoyed the outdoors and was an excellent bass and Muskie fisherman. Don was always in search of the next "big one" to catch and release. Don served for several years on the Board of the Southdale Y Service Club and also as its Secretary and President. This organization serves the Southdale YMCA and surrounding communities and raises money for kids to attend camps. For his service, Don received the Volunteer of the Year Award from the City of Edina. After the death of his wife Janet, Don acted as a grief group counselor in Edina. He later met Maxine Michelson, who became a very close and dear friend. Don and Maxine shared great memories together at The Colony and at the lake and also enjoyed attending concerts, plays, and the opera. Don was preceded in death by his parents Ida and Leon Smith, wife Janet Smith, sister Ellen Baum-gartner and son Stephen Logan Smith. Don is survived by his daughter Sandra Reichert, son-in-law Brent Reichert, daughter-in-law Linda Smith, three grandsons Blake Reichert, Brian Reichert, and Derek Smith, and his close friend Maxine Michelson. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Normandale Lutheran Church, 6100 Normandale Rd., Edina, on Monday, April 23, 2018 at 11 AM with a visitation one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Normandale Lutheran Church music fund.