Wayne B Smith

Wayne Barry Smith, 77, of New York Mills, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on December 4, 2025, at the Fergus Falls VA. Born on December 10, 1947, in Wadena, Minnesota, Wayne lived a life marked by curiosity, intellect, and humor. He will be remembered by all who knew him as a man both grounded and philosophical—a thinker with calloused hands and a kind heart.  

Wayne grew up with a deep connection to the land and family, taking over the family farm’s duties in 1964 while completing his education at New York Mills High School, where he graduated in 1965. In 1967, he began working for Peoples Co-Op Power in Rochester, Minnesota, earning $3.05 an hour. His path shifted in 1968, when he was drafted into the United States Army. Wayne completed basic training at Fort Lewis, Washington, and advanced training at Fort Benning and Fort Gordon, Georgia, before serving in Vietnam as a radio repairman.  

He was briefly married to Diane Jacobson in 1973.

Wayne later met and married a lovely woman in 1979, Margaret (Mo) Opdahl whose idea of success and patriotism was to teach the disabled to live prideful, wholesome lives. Together they welcomed a daughter, Sarah.

A deeply thoughtful man, Wayne possessed a sharp wit and a philosopher’s soul. He read voraciously, drawing inspiration from Charles Darwin, Mark Twain, Kurt Vonnegut, Leonardo da Vinci, John Lewis and the great artists, thinkers, and civil servants of history. Science and history fascinated him, and he found beauty in understanding how the world worked. Above all else, Wayne loved his family, finding joy and meaning in their company and support.  

Wayne is survived by his beloved daughter, Sarah(Joe)Bounds: grandchildren Izzy and Shade; siblings;  Marilyn Jokela, Roger(Sue) Smith, Debbie (sons Cameron and Devlin)Smith, Connie(Duane) Stigen, Glen(Laura)Smith; many nieces and nephews and friends who carry forward memories of his humor, curiosity, and warmth.  

A celebration of Wayne’s life will be held in the summer of 2026, with details to be announced. Friends and family will gather to honor the life of a man who thought deeply, worked hard, and laughed often.  

“So it goes.” — Kurt Vonnegut.

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