Kent Mac Smeby, 73, of rural Austin, Minnesota, passed away at his home on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016.

Kent was born on Jan. 20, 1943, to George and Norma (McFarland) Smeby in Austin. On March 20, 1960, Kent married Betty Braaten at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hollandale, Minnesota. Kent was proud of his service in the U.S. Naval Air where he attained the rank of AMS-4. Kent accomplished everything that he set his mind to. He was generous to his family and his church, tackling any task with confidence. He was a 4-H leader, and active in the Moscow Lutheran Church. He had an entrepreneurial spirit and shared his knowledge freely with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was an ironworker, a farmer, a fabricator of hog equipment, a draft horse showman, and co-founder of K & K Fabrication, Inc. His hobbies included woodworking, antique tractor restoration, and fishing. Kent and Betty enjoyed their time with family and friends on the Mississippi River in Wabasha. His legacy is “We can do anything we set our mind to,” and “Smebys never give up.”

Kent is survived by his wife, Betty; daughter Kim (Steve) Zenk, Albert Lea, Minnesota; grandson Tim (Katrina) Zenk, rural Hollandale; great-grandchildren, Ole, Steven, Isaac, Amelia, Clara, and Henry; granddaughter Katie (Chris) Hebblewhite, great-granddaughter, Kari; daughter Kris (Bill) Wilkie, rural Hollandale; granddaughter Jill (Brent) Tweed, Hayward, Minnesota; great-granddaughter Brennyn; grandson, Adam Wilkie, Denver, Colorado; son, Kurt (Cindy) Smeby, rural Austin; and grandchildren Kevin, Kendra, and Kallie Smeby. He is also survived by siblings, Kathy (Virgil) Asbury, Kraig (Doris) Smeby, Keith (Connie) Smeby; sisters-in-law Marg (Bennie) Mueske, Mabel (Jerry) Shatek, Pam (David) Fink and Nancy (Dave) Uecker; and aunts, uncle, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Norma Smeby; parents-in-law, Ole and Doris Braaten; and great-granddaughter Ruthie Grace Zenk.

God bless the memories we have of our husband, dad, grandpa, and great grandpa.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 30, at Moscow Lutheran Church, with Pastor Waldemar Gies officiating. Interment will be in Moscow Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary on Tuesday, Nov. 29, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and at the church on Wednesday from 1 p.m. until the time of the service.

Clasen-Jordan Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.