Evans Funeral Home
"Compassionate Funeral Service"
Carrington and New Rockford, North Dakota
701.652.3003 or 701.947.2911
Secondary Number ~ 701.650.9937
Douglas Smith
Douglas Roland Smith, age 84 of Sheyenne, N.D., passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 15, 2020 at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND.
He was born on Midway Farm, which was still his home, on December 9, 1935 to Floyd and Anne (Jacobsen) Smith. He went to Rocky Mountain School #2 just down the road from home. He rode his horse to school many times. After graduating from 8th grade he entered the New Rockford High School. He was a busy student as he played saxophone in the school band then getting the nickname “12th Street Rag”. After graduation Douglas enrolled in the Winter Short Ag Course at NDSU. Upon returning in 1953 he began farming and purchased 2 registered Polled Herefords to start the foundation of Midway Polled Herefords. In 1970 he sold Polled Hereford breeding stock to Chile and in more recent years to Kazakhstan. He loved to work the land and had a love for raising the Polled Hereford seed stock, which his family still raises from his original herd.
Finding out that he had a yearning to take flying lessons, he bought his first plane. He tried 3 other planes before finding his love of a Cessna 172. He enjoyed giving rides in his plane, especially to kids.
On Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1959 he married the love of his life, Ann Bonderson of Sheyenne. To this union they had 2 sons James and William. Doug and Ann enjoyed traveling and visited over 30 states and Canada.
Over the years he has been on the Eddy County Crop Improvement Board, President of the North Dakota Polled Hereford Association, was awarded the Soil Conservation Award, Outstanding Young Farmer Award, and in 1992 was awarded the Polled Hereford Man of the Year for North Dakota.
He also had a love of music. He had his own band for 20 plus years playing for weddings and clubs all over the state. In his later years he enjoyed entertaining at several nursing homes.
He had special relationships with his two granddaughters Kate and Whitney, as they lived on the same farm, and now also his two great grandchildren Will and Andie, who are the 6th generation to live on Midway Farm.
As an only child, Doug also had special relationships with his cousins, Robert, Nick, and Don Holthe, Eileen (Holthe) Patrick, Ellen (Smith) Messner, Lester Smith, Erland Bergland and Leona (Bergland) Bouret.
Doug is survived by his wife of 61 years, Ann; his sons James Smith, Fargo and William (Karen) Smith, Sheyenne, granddaughters Kate (Austin) Langley, Warwick, Whitney (Jacob) Burkhardsmeier, and great grandchildren, Will and Andie Burkhardsmeier, all of Sheyenne and we can’t forget his beloved dog Taz.
Doug was preceded in death by his parent, in-laws, many musician friends and fellow Polled Hereford breeders.
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Most Grandchildren don’t get to grow up just a few hundred yards away from their grandparents but I did
Grandpa always called me princess as a little girl even though I knew it wasn’t true
He was there for every basketball game, every prom, every 4-H show
He would surprise us by picking us up after school instead of us having to ride the bus home
In between feeding bales he’d hook our sled behind the old farmhand
He taught us how to drive a four wheeler
He taught me how to drive a nail
He gave us our first airplane ride
He was there for our first horse to throw a saddle and tighten a cinch when we just weren’t strong enough yet
He let us drive his old green dodge even if we didn’t want to
He was the grandpa who gave heifers instead of toys for Christmas
He was there for our high school and college graduations
He was there for my first job and even needed to come to the school to see (at the time) “miss smith’s” classroom
He was the second person my husband had to ask for my hand in marriage
His band played at our wedding
We will never forget his music and his unique sound
I’m so happy he got to meet his two great grandchildren – they meant everything to him
He had a love for the land and raising cattle – We can only hope he is proud as we continue his life’s work
Most Grandchildren don’t get to grow up just a few hundred yards away from their grandparents…but I did
Whitney Burkhardsmeier
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Visitation will be Wednesday, 9:00AM-5:00PM at Evans Funeral Home, New Rockford.
His Private Funeral Service will be held Thursday, November 19, 2020, at Evans Funeral Home, New Rockford, ND.
Burial will be Thursday, November 19, 2020 at 2:30 PM at the Nystrom Cemetery, rural Sheyenne, ND.
(Family and friends wishing to join the procession to the cemetery. We will be leaving the funeral home at 2:00 PM.)
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Our deepest sympathy to Ann and family…
Doug will be missed by so many! He was a special man! I always enjoyed his wonderful music! He is now using his special musical talents in God’s Heavenly Band!
May you all find comfort in your memories of happy times together!
So sorry to hear of the passing of your father. Thoughts and prayers 🙏 to you and your family Bill and Karen.
Ann and family I extend my condolences. Doug was a big influence on getting my dad, Bill, interested in Polled Herefords. I can remember the visits between farms to get set up to raise them. Doug was a fun loving jolly man. I loved listening to him play music. May his spirit live on in your memories.
I am so sorry to hear about Doug’s passing – Keeping his family in my thoughts and prayers as you go thru this difficult time.
sorry for your loss Ann he was a kind and gentle man
Ann and family,
Sorry to hear of your loss, you will be in our prayers during this difficult time.
We are so sorry for your loss Ann and family. Doug will be remembered by myself and Marydean as always smiling, being happy, and having a good sense of humor. I was privileged getting to know Doug, Ann and family when I spent time at the farm remodeling three generations of homes. Your hospitality was overwhelming and we enjoyed many great meals and conversations every day. Doug will be truly missed. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Our condolences to Ann and family. Doug always had time to visit and was a great guy. Our prayers are with the family
So sorry to hear about Doug ,he was a good man and friend.
My deepest condolences to the Smith family. I truly enjoyed working with Doug over the years at FSA and he always asked how my mom and dad were doing. My parents are still in the nursing home and they truly enjoyed Doug’s musical talents. My heartfelt prayers go out to the entire family.
Very sorry to hear about Doug’s passing. Always a friendly pleasant person to visit with. He was a great musician. I enjoyed listening to his music at Steam Threshers and Rogers’s garage.
Our sympathy to the Smith family. Doug was such a kind and friendly man. We bought our first polled Hereford bulls from Doug many years ago. It has been a while since we ran into Doug and Ann, but enjoyed visiting with him and Ann. Carter and Kathe Kleinsasser
My deepest sympathy for you and your family Ann. Doug was a great and friendly neighbor. We shared several fun and interesting aircraft and aviation related stories and discussions. I will miss his fly-by visits. I could always tell it was Doug and his shiny Cessna 172 coming from a mile away just by the smooth and higher pitched hum of his six cylinder Continental pulling that flashy 172. Another long time great aviator gone West! Cherish the pleasant memories. There are lots of them!
My sympathies to Ann, Bill, Karen, Jim, Whitney, Kate and families. Doug was a super person to have as a neighbor. He always had a smile and would greet me “Hey neighbor”. I will always remember him playing at the Lutheran Home. I don’t know who enjoyed it more – him or the residents that were busy tapping their feet to the music. I am so glad that I got to know Doug. Doug will truly be missed by anyone that knew him!
Sorry to hear of Doug Smith’s passing.
I played in dance band with Doug. A very nice fellow.
Ann and family so sorry to read about Doug’s passing. We got to thinking about the good times at Polled. Hereford events. Those were the good old days.
Ann and family,
I’m so sorry to learn of Doug’s passing. Doug and his plane will always be remembered. As a kid when we’d hear a plane flying over, we’d say “yup that’s Doug” and we’d all run out of the house to wave at him. He was a good man and will be missed by many.
Deloris(Dee Dee) Geiger
So sadden by the loss of Doug. My other brother as he often called me sis. I have so many memories of all the times we had together .farm and else where..how he opened his home and heart to me and tammy. So caring..I remember his teasing. Mostly about my pickup. . Do u need some baking twine to hold it togther??.great sense of humor. I will miss you alot..brother..you are playing music with the Angel’s now..
Ann, My heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. Doug was always so friendly and had a nice big smile and kind words whenever I met up with the two of you. You were truly blessed to have such a long and happy marriage. May you hold on to the happy memories and receive comfort from them. Joyce
Sorry for your loss keep the many memories close in your heart!