Obituary of Norman E. Smith, Jr.

AKA Smitty, Daddy Cool, N.E., Norm and Pretty Smitty

Born to Norman Sr. and Anita (nee: Monseth) Smith on July 7, 1942 passed away on November 19, 2024 at the age of 82. Survived by wife of 59 years, LaVonne (nee: Busiahn), Daughters, Tamara (Ben) Trachtenberg and Tracy Smith, Grandson Joseph Trachtenberg, Brother, Steven (Kay) Smith and Kay’s brother Keven Mashek, along with many other family members.

Norman loved motorcycles and Marlboro Reds; he was too cool for school. Opted to work and work is what he did. He was a dedicated employee that took great pride in all he did. Starting out on the Rock Island Railroad with his father, where his love of trains grew. Then onto driving trucks, he even owned his own moving truck for a while. His final place of employment was driving semi for the USPS; a job he loved, a uniform he was proud to wear. He earned numerous awards for his driving skills; skills his eldest daughter was blessed with.

Norman met LaVonne on a blind date and often spoke of how he knew the moment he saw her; he had found his forever. Together they stood strong, side by side. They loved each other through all of life’s challenges. Norman received his GED, was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith after marrying LaVonne. They welcomed Tamara Rae to this world first, four and a half years later, Tracy Jean came along. Providing for his family was his top priority; those thoughts never left him.

Norman had a long painful battle with many ailments, the doctors labeled him as “Medically Complicated”. He had a will to live, he was tough and he was stubborn (a true Smith trait). After decades of decline, his poor body was just too tired. Norman’s pain was taken away and he was peacefully taken into the Lord’s loving arms.

LaVonne’s final good bye was beautiful and a true-life lesson for all of us; I Have Loved You Every Day is what she whispered to him. It was true love, pure love, the kind of love everyone should have. Love is such a beautifully complicated thing. Even hurtful at times. Please know how much you are loved every single day, no matter what; Even the worst of days, you are indeed loved.

A Remembrance Open House will be held on Sunday, December 8, 2024 between the hours of 1-4pm at the Cremation Society of Minnesota, 7110 France Ave S Edina, MN 55435