Arlen Smestad

Arlen M. Smestad (aka Smitty) age 64, of Grantsburg, WI, passed away unexpectedly on Monday April 30 th at his beloved family farm. Arlen was born on December 13, 1953 in Siren, WI, to parents, Alyce (Thor) and Meaddy Smestad. Arlen was baptized and confirmed at Bethany Lutheran Church (Grantsburg, WI.) He attended Wood River Country School for his first two years with Cora Sandberg as his teacher. He graduated from Grantsburg High School in 1972. He was involved in football and wrestling all through his school years. Arlen was raised on the farm and learned what the meaning of a hard day’s work was. Arlen was introduced to, hunting, horseback riding and snowmobile riding with the family as a reward for their hard work. Arlen was a member of the Wood River Beavers 4-H Club showing dairy cattle and horses at the fair and what ever mischief he could get into while there. As a young man, he became involved in Demo Derbys and building the most indestructible car in the county and state, not to mention Pine County and the Minnesota State Fair. He won many prizes and trophies in his glory days. He became good friends with his competitors the “Neubauers” from Pine City, MN. He could be heard to say, “I didn’t come here to lose” as he drove his latest creation (Ford) into the ring. After High School, Arlen worked for Oachs Bros. and Harmon Bros. Construction, also farming at home until 1974. Arlen then attended 2 years of Votec in Eau Claire, WI for Auto Mechanics. He returned to construction work in Burnsville, MN, for M.G. Astelford pouring Cement and building bridges for Highway construction until 1990, when he returned to Grantsburg to work for Harmon Bros. Construction until they went out of business. Arlen took over the family farm in March of 1998 from Donna and Corey Smestad who had been farming since the loss of Gary, his brother, in February of 1997. Arlen married Karen Kozak on December 31, 1999. He became father to Billie Jean and on August 11, 1998 when Adam was born, someone to carry on the family name and hopefully the farm one day! Arlen truly loved the farm and the life and work that went with it, even freezing sweet corn each year because as you know a meal without corn isn’t a meal. Arlen enjoyed going to the speedway races and also racing lawn mowers, be it summer or winter. He always said he let Mom or Adam win, yeah right!!! He liked to build things he had taken pictures of, if it was something he needed. He repaired a Dune Buggy for Adam, Kaylea and Cody to ride around and have fun with. Arlen loved The Watercross and Fair weekend. You better milk those cows early so you don’t miss the Demo Derby or the Tractor Pull, and a few stops at the beer garden, or his favorite spot downtown couldn’t hurt. He was famous for being the last one to arrive at the Squirrels Unlimited Banquet (save a plate for Smitty and Adam). Arlen suffered a setback in May of 2016 with a back injury. He was bound and determined to get out of his wheel chair or (Power Wheels) as the granddaughters would say. He had a long hard fight and never did he once say I give up or it’s too hard. Arlen was a very courageous man. He demanded respect and returned it when earned. He loved his time spent with family and getting to know his granddaughters, Peyton and Brynn.  Arlen is survived by his wife, Karen; daughter, Billie Jean Kozak (Joseph Byers); son, Adam; granddaughters, Peyton and Brynn; sister, Julie (Dave) Carlstom; brother Wayne Smestad; sister-in-law, Donna Kozumplik; brother-in-law, Roger (Margo) Wagenius; aunts, Carol (Merlin) Johnson and Mildred Lindgren; nephews and nieces: Corey (Janelle) Smestad and children, Hannah, Logan and Landon, Darcy (Todd) Carlson and children, Haley and Alyssa, Dawn (Shane) Keaveny and children, Alex and Brennen, Angie Stanke and son, Liam, Perry (Jessica) Carlstrom and children, Mason and Haily Brundridge and Brooke and Chase Carlstrom, Nicolle Derks and son, Brock, Larissa (Chuck) Lee and children, Kaylea and Cody Nelson And Graisyn Lee; Honorary family, Willy (Kayla) Taylor and family, Molly Anunti,  Jimmy Meyer and Shawn Peterson; and many cousins and friends. Arlen is preceded in death by parents, Meaddy and Alyce Smestad; brother, Gary Smestad; father and mother-in-law, Lester and Dorothy Wagenius; sister-in-law, Diane Derks; many aunts and uncles, cousins and friends; best friend, Patrick Johnson. Arlen loved country music and Reba McEntire. Arlen’s sense of humor, impressions and talents as a prankster will not soon be forgotten. Rest easy farmer the Harvest has come, your job here is done. Visitation to be held on Friday May 4, 2018 from 4-7:00pm at Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home. In addition, a luncheon will be held at Hummers Event Center Grantsburg 4-7:00PM. Memorial Service to be held on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at 2:00pm (visitation from 1-2:00pm) at Bethany Lutheran Church Grantsburg, WI, with Pastor Jay Ticknor officiating. A luncheon will follow the service at church. Honorary Pallbearers are: Dan Glockzin, Harold Leffelman, Rodney Ernst, Roger Wagenius, Bob Neubauer and Bill Ott.       Funeral Services were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home of Grantsburg. Online condolences may be expressed at www.swedberg-taylor.com