Donald W. "Don" Smith, 61, Minot, died Monday, March 22, 2010 in a Minot Hospital.

Don was born December 9, 1948 in Minot, ND, a twin-son of Raymond and Ramona (Swartwout) Smith. He was raised and educated at Deering and graduated from Deering High School in 1966. He entered into active duty service with the U.S. Army in February of 1969, and served a 14 month term in the Vietnam War. He received two purple hearts and a bronze star for his distinguished service to his country and was honorably discharged in October of 1970.

Don returned to North Dakota for a short time, and then moved to Minneapolis, where he was employed as a Press Operator for Brown & Bigelow Company along with other printing companies there. Don made his home in Minneapolis for thirty-eight years, until returning to Minot in May of 2009 to assist with the care of his father.

Don was a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America and Teamster's Union. He loved to fish and hunt and enjoyed taking his nephews and most recently grand nephew on the "fall hunt" . He loved spending time with his daughter and grandchildren, whom lovingly called him, Bepa. Don was an avid fan of the University of ND Fighting Sioux hockey program, and made sure that his family followed his wishes in cheering on the Sioux, especially when playing the Minnesota Gophers.

Don's loving family includes : daughter, Monica (Donny) March, Minneapolis, MN; grandchildren, Logan Weber, Autumn Noni March and a new granddaughter, Sophia March, to be born in May; mother, Ramona "Nonie" Smith, Minot; brothers, Ronald (Valerie) Smith, Minot, Steve (Carol) Smith, Minot; sisters, Pamela Forness and her special friend, Rick Turner, Poulsbo, WA, Lori (Ronald) Heinze, Surrey; nieces and nephews, Jennifer McClain and her special friend, Brian Klatt and her children, Jordyn, Trey and Preston, Derek and Aili Smith and their son, Bram, Kyle Heinze and his son, Makiah, Dylan and Trevor Heinze, Dustin and Shawn Smith; uncle/brother, LaVern Swartwout, Minot, Don's special companion, his dog, Cody including several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Don was preceded in death by his father, Raymond and grandparents, Merle and Matilda Smith and Allen and Gladys Swartwout.

Funeral service: Thursday, March 25, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. in Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot.
Interment: Friday, March 26, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. in the ND Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.
Visitation: Wednesday from 2:00-7:00 p.m. in the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to the Youth Hunting Association or the local Humane Society.