In Memoriam ~ J. Weston Smith Posted on May 12, 2023 in Obituaries J. Weston Smith, M.D. Father of Brian Smith, Regent Father-in-law of Dixie Boschee, FacultySmith, J Weston, M.D., 93, was born June 5, 1929, in Hutchinson, Kansas, in the home of his grandmother, Maggie Smith. He died on Sunday, May 7, 2023, at the Quiet Oaks Hospice House in St. Augusta township. Wes graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1946, and then attended Junior College in Hutchinson, followed by studies at the University of Kansas at Lawrence. Wes was admitted to medical school at the University of Kansas as a junior, giving him the opportunity to take a wide variety of interesting classes in the humanities during his senior year. Wes married his high school sweetheart, Marilyn Colby, in August 1949. They were married for 66 years, until Marilyn’s passing in April 2016. He proudly served his country, first in the Naval Reserves and then as a Captain and Flight Surgeon in the Air Force. Beginning in 1960, Wes was the first anesthesiologist to serve the St. Cloud Hospital. He had a distinguished career, serving his community, leading the hospital as Chief of Staff in 1971-1972, and retiring in 1989. With retirement, the adventures began, with travel to Europe, including an extended stay in Alnwick, Northumberland, many journeys in France, Italy, Turkey, and other countries. Wes also traveled widely in the Middle East, the countries of eastern and southern Africa and south Asia. In North America, he traveled to Alaska and adventured by canoe in Canada, including expeditions on the Horton River into the Arctic Ocean and on Victoria Island. He and Marilyn also thoroughly enjoyed their 26 years in their home on Kreigle Lake in Avon with friends and family. Wes was continually grateful for his life. Wes was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Lela Smith, in-laws, Carrie and Charles Colby, sister, Phyllis Davis, as well as his grandson, Colin Christopher Smith. He is survived by his children Nancy Smith Alesch (Ric), Robert Smith (Christine MacKenzie), Bruce Smith (Laurie), Brian Smith (Dixie Boschee), and Christopher Smith (Mary Lund); eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren: Jonathan Alesch (Lacey), their children, Morgan, Weston, and Colby; Kelsey Carlson (Eric), their children, Addelyn, Zarra, and River; Steven Alesch (Joy Case); Charles MacKenzie Smith (Claire Anderson); Bridget Suess (James), their children Tiernan, Ronan, and Gweneviere; Brian Smith (Dixie Boschee), and daughter Harriet Lauritsen-Smith; Miles Smith, and Joy Berthelsen (Erik). Funeral mass will be held on May 18, 2023 at St. John the Baptist Parish, 14241 Fruit Farm Road, St. Joseph, MN 56374. Visitation begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by a funeral mass at 10:30 a.m. Immediately following worship, the committal will take place at the St. John’s Abbey Cemetery with lunch to follow at the parish hall. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to the Avon Food Shelf (320-357-5202) or to the Marilyn C. Smith Scholarship Fund at St. John’s University School of Theology and Seminary (320-292-3674).
