Paul Roland Smith, 90, of Pequot Lakes, Minnesota, formerly of Cedar Falls, died Monday, March 31, 2003, at St. Joseph's Hospital, Brainerd, Minnesota. He was born September 12, 1912, in Colony, Kansas, son of Russell and Mary (Smith) Smith. He was raised, educated, and graduated from high school in Colony, Kansas. He then attended the University of Pittsburgh and graduated in 1939. Paul served his country during World War II in the U. S. Army from 1942 to 1945 as a major in the 1113th Combat Engineer Group. He married Tyrola Wold, March 10, 1945, in Topeka, Kansas. They had lived in Colorado Springs, Fort Scott, Kansas, and Hays, Kansas, before moving to Cedar Falls. He was a college art professor at the University of Northern Iowa from 1950 to 1964. He then taught at Hamline University, St. Paul, Minnesota, from 1964 to 1975 before retiring. Mr. Smith and his wife had been visiting the Nisswa area since the early 1950s to their cabin on Cullen Lake. After retirement, they spent summers at the cabin and the winters in Florida. They moved to Pequot Lakes in 2002. Paul was a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was active in the Cullen Lakes Property Owners' Association and was past president of the Artists' Equity Association. He enjoyed fishing and all sports. Survived by: his wife; children, Patricia (Edmund) Erickson of Madison, Wisconsin, Cris (Christine) Smith of Pequot Lakes, and Cheryl (Scott) Friese of Red Wing, Minnesota; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a sister, Hilda Richardson of Alba, Missouri. Preceded in death by: his parents; two brothers, Merle and Bruce; and one sister. Memorial services: 10:30 a.m. Friday April 4, 2003, at the Lutheran Church of the Cross, Nisswa, Minnesota, with the Reverend Kurt Wied officiating. Interment will follow services in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Camp Ripley. Military honors will be provided by the Nisswa American Legion Post 627. William-Northland Funeral Home, Pequot Lakes, is in charge of arrangements. Copyright Waterloo Courier, April 3, 2003, page B2.
