Tracy G Smith

Tracy Gene Smith, 64, passed away at home Sunday, April 23, 2023, at Red Cloud, Nebraska. He was born in Denver, Colorado on May 7, 1958, the son of Henry and Sharon (Dettmer) Smith.

The family moved to Franklin in the summer of 1972, when Tracy was a freshman in high school. He was a proud 1976, Flyer graduate. After graduation he worked for Ralph Sindt and Plank’s Construction. In May 1977, he met the love of his life when he went to Kearney to celebrate his birthday. Lauri Larsen stole his heart immediately and in December of 1977, they got engaged and then married on December 23, 1978.

Tracy and Lauri moved several different places adding their four daughters along the way before settling back in Franklin on his dad’s hog farm. The hog farm, much to his daughter’s grumblings, was his dream. What he enjoyed even more though was waking his daughters up at 4:00 am to load hogs or blaring “Hey, hey, we’re the Monkeys” on the records player.

In 2006, his health had declined and they moved into town. While he missed the farm, he loved sitting on the front porch waving at all the friends who drove by and honked. He also loved his time as the score board keeper for the Flyers. In January 2009, he gained his first granddaughter, Maddison. She was the light of his eye. He got spoiled with or got to spoil (depends who you ask) with three more grandchildren, Christopher, Cassidy and John. He loved watching Christopher play soccer or flag football, listening to Cassidy’s stories and watching all of John’s firsts.

Tracy is survived by his wife, Lauri; daughters, Dawn (Mitch) Hubbard; Brandi (Mat) Seltman; Kimberly (Terrence) Dow and Victoria (Kyle) Giger; grandchildren: Christopher Seltman, Cassidy Seltman, John Seltman, Maddison Sykes, Levi, Spencer Giger and Jordynn Giger. Also surviving are his mother, Sharon; mother-in-law, Ardith; brothers, Al (Val) Smith, Brad (Mary) Smith and sisters, Gloria (Bob) Rolofson and Denise (Bevan) Staple; in-laws, Kris (Dan) Warnke, James Larsen, Robert (GiGi) Larsen and Mary (Dave) Duncan; numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Preceding him in death were his father, Henry; father-in-law, Chris Larsen; brother-in-law, Larry Larsen; grandparents Amasa and Pearl Smith and Blanche and Alvin Dettmer

Funeral services were Friday, 2:00 pm, April 28, 2023, at the Grace Lutheran Church in Franklin, Nebraska with Pastor Dave Hutson officiating.

Williams Funeral Home
241 West 4th Avenue
Red Cloud, Nebraska  68970

Phone 402-746-2500
williamsfuneralhomes@yahoo.com

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