Gregory A. Smith, 75

Gregory Arthur Smith, 75, 3325 Teton Drive, Stevens Point died Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at his home.

Greg was born September 17, 1948 in Austin, Minnesota, to Edmund E. and Maxiene J. Smith. He was third in a family of nine children, and he loved being a part of this big family. He attended St Augustine elementary school and Pacelli High School in Austin. He would readily admit he was not much of a scholar as a youngster, but he was proud to have found success at Austin Junior College and later Mankato State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology.

He met his wife, Paula, while attending Mankato State. They were married on April 12, 1969 at the Convent of the Sisters Saint Francis, St Augustine parish in Austin MN. They spent 42 years in love and deeply devoted to each other until Paula’s death in 2011. Greg reminisced frequently about his love for Paula and all of the good times they had together.

After college Greg and his family returned to Austin MN where he started his career in the newspaper business as an advertising salesman at the Austin Daily Herald where his father worked as publisher. Greg’s newspaper career took him to Blissfield MI, Chippewa Falls WI, Portage WI, and back to Chippewa Falls. He worked his way up from ad salesman to ad manager to business manager to general manager to publisher. He completed his career at Krause Publications in Iola WI, and he and Paula built a beautiful home surrounded by amazing gardens in nearby Stevens Point WI. He always said Paula was the gardener, but he worked hard to try to keep the gardens up for her.

Greg loved his family fiercely. He prioritized spending as much time with his son, Morgan, and his daughter, Sloan and his grandchildren as possible. He loved his siblings, nieces, and nephews. He loved his trips back to Minnesota for holidays and gatherings.

Greg was a great friend to many. He was willing to help anyone in need. His friendships lasted a lifetime: some friends he met in elementary school or high school, others in college or at jobs, and around his Teton Drive neighborhood. Greg was a volunteer in every community he joined for organizations including United Way, Rotary Club, Meals on Wheels, and Habitat for Humanity, as well as for many activities at his kids’ schools. He donated blood regularly. He gave of his life, time and talents to many; some he never knew.

His sense of humor was well-known by both family and friends. Greg loved to laugh and make others enjoy a joke or clever word. He wrote poems, stories, and songs. Some were serious, but most were humorous. He also loved a good vulgarity, and he was able to work salty expressions into conversation easily. Greg loved to play and watch sports. He most loved to enjoy events with family and friends.

Greg loved his pets including Schnauzer Suki, and later his Scottish terrier friends: Lady, Maxie, Darby, and lastly, Murphy. They provided him with constant companionship and much joy.

Greg is survived by his son, Morgan Smith (partner Ann Tran) and grandson, Odin Smith, Robbinsdale, MN; daughter Sloan (Michael) Miller and granddaughters, Sydney, Allison, and Madelyn Miller, Janesville WI; siblings, Michael (Christine)Smith, Rochester MN, Mary Ellen (Myron) Daniel ,Charles City IA, Colleen (Jack) Johnston Oneonta AL, Kimberly (Cindy) Smith, Pickerington OH, Teresa (Joe) Rajkowski, Stanchfield MN, Danielle (Bruce) Heiny, Austin MN, Christopher (Mara) Smith, Rochester MN, and Gabrielle Smith (partner Julie Doherty), Minneapolis MN; numerous cherished nieces, nephews, and brothers- and sisters-in-law. Family came first for Greg.

Greg was preceded in death by his father, Edmund Smith; mother Maxiene Smith; wife, Paula Smith; nephew, Kurt McDowell; nieces, Jeanna Elston and Hannah Goldstein; father-in-law, Merle Horswell; and mother-in-law, Rose Huse.

A memorial service will be held on August 9, 2024 in Austin MN. Additional details to come at a later date. Shuda Funeral home will handle the Stevens Point WI arrangements. Worlein Funeral Home will handle the Austin MN arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials in Greg’s honor be made to your local Humane Society or the American Cancer Society.