Obituary of Wayne Richard Smith

Wayne Richard Smith passed away on January 8th, 2009 at the Victoria Hospital in Prince Albert, SK. Wayne was born on November 5th, 1952 in Shellbrook, SK, the fifth child of Richard and Lilly Smith. He was raised on the family farm in Jackson Lake near Debden. He attended school in Jackson Lake and Debden. He worked at various jobs in Canal Flats, BC, Estevan, Ile-A-La Crosse and in 1977 he began working at the Big River Sawmill. He worked there until it closed in April of 2006. In 1978, Wayne married Karen Young and they had two children, Tamara and Shawn. For most of their married life they lived in the Ladder Valley area. In 1996 they bought Harold and Verna Wilson's place where they've lived ever since. In the last 5 years Wayne and Karen's small family grew as they welcomed two in-laws, Dean and Victoria and their grandchildren, Savannah, Brayden and Joshua. Wayne will be remembered by many as a talented guitar player and singer and he had a deep appreciation for good music. He was a member of a few different bands, including Purple Haze and Country Cream and through his music developed many lasting friendships. Wayne is lovingly remembered by his wife of 30 years, Karen Smith of Big River, SK. His daughter Tamara (Dean) Christiansen of Big River, SK and their children Brayden and Joshua and Dean's daughter Erika, his son Shawn (Victoria) Smith of Big River, SK and their daughter Savannah. His father Richard Smith of Debden, SK. His brothers and sisters Corrine (Jack) Benner of Dalmeny, SK, Clarence (Trudy) Smith of Debden, SK, Carol (Grant) Hastings of Birch Hills, SK, Lynn (Roy) Webb of Canal Flats, BC, Connie (Ron) Prefontaine of Bruno, SK, Larry (Judy) Smith of Grandora, SK, Brenda (Arabsky (Grant Martin) of Canwood, SK, Calvin (Corrine) Smith of Debden, SK, Kim (Yvette) Smith of Lake Lenore, SK, Hal (Karen) Smith of Holbein, SK, Melody Smith of Saskatoon, SK, Jennifer (Rocky) Gaudry of Debden, SK, Tanya (Kevin) Voinorosky of Saskatoon, SK. His father in-law Leonard Young of Big River, SK. His brothers and sisters in-law Wilfred (JoAnn) Young of Big River, SK, Rita (Gilles) Lepage of Debden, SK, Dulcie (Mike) Hoffarth of Regina, SK, Trent Young of Erin Ferry, SK. A special niece Chelsey Crashley of Big River, SK as well as numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, other relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his mother Lilly Smith in 2003, his mother in-law Kate Young in 2008 and his sister in-law Myrna Crashley in 1989. The funeral service for Wayne was held on Tuesday, January 13th, 2009 at 1 p.m. from the Big River Community Hall with Rev. Brian Maitland officiating. The hymns of "Precious Memories" and "Peace In The Valley" were led by Monica Svendson on piano and Don Bouvette as soloist. Honorary pallbearers were "All relatives and friends who shared in Wayne's life." Pallbearers were Donovan Webb, Vance Webb, Jeremy Hetu, Clay Gear, Lonnie Crashley and Mike Miller. Memorial Donations may be made to the Victoria Union Hospital Critical Care Unit, Prince Albert, SK. Email condolences may be sent to www.beaulacfunerahome.com. Beau "Lac" Funeral Home Ltd. was entrusted with the funeral arrangements.