Hensman U. Smidt

Hensman U. Smidt, 92, of Kanawha, passed away on Saturday, May 9, 2009, at the Kanawha Community Home.

Funeral services for Hensman Smidt will be held on Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at the Kanawha Christian Reformed Church with Pastor Steve Schulz officiating. Burial will be in Amsterdam Township Cemetery near Kanawha.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Ewing Funeral Home, 118 East Second Street, in Kanawha and continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Hensman Ubbe Smidt was born October 22, 1916, the son of Ubbe and Annie (Betten) Smidt. He grew up in the “horse and buggy” days, receiving his education in country school northeast of Kanawha. On February 20, 1943 he was united in marriage with Ardella Mae Olmstead in her parents’ home in Shell Rock, Iowa. To this union five children were born. They lived on the family farm until 1994, when they moved to Kanawha.

Hensman was a lifetime member of the Kanawha Christian Reformed Church. During this time he spent many years as Sunday School Superintendent and was a Council Member. He was an avid John Deere tractor fan and a member of the Hancock County Pork Producers. He enjoyed weighing in livestock for fair and helping pick out poultry to show. Picnics during vacations are happy memories for many relatives and friends. He also enjoyed playing Wahoo, Uno, and Domines and trouncing his grandsons in Monopoly at Thanksgiving. Visits by his great grandchildren brought a special sparkle to his eyes.

Hensman is survived by four children: Son Delbert and wife Patricia of Stafford, Virginia and their three children: Michelle (Wayne) Giermann of Bloomington, Illinois, Veronica (Keith) Shevlin of Evans, Georgia, Eric (Wendy) Smidt of San Diego, California; Daughter Donna and husband Larry Meyer of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin and their five children: Kari (Chad) Bonnema of Grand Haven, Michigan, Timothy (Kate) Meyer of Atsugi, Japan, Sandra Meyer of Holland, Michigan, David (Elizabeth) Meyer of Chandler, Arizona, Amy Meyer of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin; Daughter Darlene and husband Rocky Shipp of Waverly, Iowa and their two children: Elliott (Ashley) Shipp of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Scott (Amanda) Shipp of Dixon, Illinois; Son Dean and wife Karla Smidt of Kanawha, Iowa and their six children: Andrea Smidt, Tracy Smidt, Brenda (Gregg) Wunder, Andrew Smidt, Kathleen Smidt, Rebecca Smidt all of Kanawha; and ten great-grandchildren with two more on the way. Also surviving Hensman is one sister, Anna and husband Robert Stock of Sheffield, Iowa, brother-in-law Mensloe Olmstead and sister-in-law Lovina Allen both of Shell Rock, Iowa and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Ardella, son Duane Hensman, great-granddaughter Jordan Abigail Smidt and sister Lena and husband Vernon Butson of Hampton, Iowa.