Jabez Leo Smith

A graveside service for Jabez Smith will be held at Pine Hill Cemetery in Williams on May 18th at 11 am

Jabez Leo Smith of Roseau, MN, formerly of Williams, MN passed away in Roseau at LifeCare Medical Center on April 7,2024. Jabez was born on May 20, 1937 to Jabez and Zelda (Sargent) Smith of Pitt, MN.

When he turned 18, Jabez enlisted with the United States Navy where he served his 4 1/2 years.

After returning home he married Lois Jean Franks on May 6, 1961.  They had four children, David (Dawn) Smith, Jerry (LeAnn) Smith, Steven Smith, and Tammy (Dan) Wilmer. The couple divorced late in 1978.

In August of 1984 Jabez married Bethel Friesner and with that marriage he gained four more children. Carolyn (Jeff) Skogstad, Ray (Stacy) Schubert, Renee (Randie) Johnson, and Teresa (Jason) LaValla.

For many years Jabez spent countless hours and weekends traveling around and playing in the band with Ronnie Gallant. Some of his favorite times were spent with Ronnie Umhauer,  Arnie Carlson, Rick Knutson, and Barb Umhauer, entertaining others with their music and having fun doing it.  In the summers, Jabez loved to be outside and working in his garden. He loved spending time with family and friends.

After Bethel passed in August of 2013,  Jabez remained at North Star Apartments in Roseau where he lived out the remainder of his life. He made many friends in the building and built a special relationship with Ardie Stein and enjoyed spending time with her daily. Jabez is survived by all eight of his children, twelve grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren.

Jabez was preceded in death by his parents, brothers and sisters, son-in-law Jeff Skogstad, wife Bethel Smith, son-in-law Randie Johnson, and son-in-law Jason LaValla.

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