Final Salute

Edward Andrew Smith, age 78, passed away on March 15, 2025 at the Sanford Worthington Medical Center with his family by his side. He was born on December 12, 1946 to Joseph and Mary (Halfmann) Smith of Brewster, MN. He was baptized at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Brewster.

Ed graduated from Brewster High School in 1965 and enlisted into the Navy that following November, serving under the Navy Seabees. He did a tour in Vietnam from October 1966 thru October 1967 in DeNang and Phu Bai as a mechanic. After a short time back in Brewster, he then did a tour in Japan from late 1967 to 1969 in Yokosuka as a mechanic and shore patrol. In September 1969, he was discharged from active duty and transitioned to the Reserves until November 1971 when he was honorably discharged. Upon his return to Brewster, he worked for a short time at the Co-op until he took on farming full time with his Dad.

On January 20, 1973, he married his beloved Loretta (Nau) at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Brewster. They resided on a farm outside of Brewster while continuing to farm and starting to build their family.

In 1990, he started working at Sather’s Candy Company in Round Lake within the Packaging department. He later moved into maintenance and forklift until company closure. Ed continued to farm until his retirement in 2017. To then occupy some of his time, he drove bus for the Brewster School District where he was loved by many students and parents. Even when he was battling through tough days, he still enjoyed driving the kids.

Ed was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Brewster. He was also a very proud member of the American Legion #464 in Brewster. He enjoyed camping, playing endless hours solitaire, playing pinochle with his close friends and spending time with his family.

Ed is survived by his wife Loretta; his three children, Ed Smith Jr. of Olathe, KS, Eric (Kelli) Smith of Howard, SD, and Angela (Jason) Carman of Gardner, KS; grandchildren, Dawson (fiancée, Kennedy) Colling, Spencer Colling, Lincoln Smith, Madeline Carman and Hudson Carman; in-laws, Don Rynda, Phil (Jan) Nau, Leonard (Sue) Nau, Mark Ruehle, Doug (Lori) Nau, Steve (Mark) Nau; and many nieces and nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters; Ruth Rynda, Mary Anne McNab and Joan Eich, in-laws; John and Jeneva Nau, brothers-in-law; Leo McNab, John Eich, Leo Nau, Joe Mormann, Francis Nau, and Lynn Davis, and sisters-in-law; Joyce Mormann, Linda Ruehle, and Kathy Davis.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 20, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m., at the Benson Funeral Home in Worthington.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 21, 2025, at 10:30 a.m., at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Brewster with Father Peter Schuster officiating. Burial, with Military Honors, will follow at the Sacred Heart Cemetery.

Benson Funeral Home in Worthington is in charge of the arrangements.