Charles "Charlie" A. Smith

Memorial Services for Charles A. (Charlie) Smith will be held on Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, Nebraska with Pastor Paul Bauman officiating.  A private family inurnment will be held prior to the services at the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege.

Charles Arden Smith, 79 years of age, of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, (formerly of Holdrege), passed away on Wednesday, May 23, 2018 at CHI Health - Good Samaritan in Kearney, Nebraska.  Charles was born in Holdrege on May 25, 1938, the youngest of two children born to Paul and Leona (Borklund) Smith.   He received his education in Holdrege, graduating from Holdrege High School with the class of 1956. He then pursued his higher education, and his love of sports at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota, where he played football and ran on the track team.  He completed his college education at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, graduating in 1960.

He returned home to farm with his dad, being the fourth generation on the family farm.  Farming was his love, his passion, and where he always felt most at home.  In 1967, he was united in marriage to Ruth Ferguson, and to this union one daughter, Shelly was born.

Charlie was a lifelong member of the Bethel Lutheran Church in Holdrege.  He enjoyed playing bridge, golf, music, and dancing. However, his real love was sports; both playing and watching.  He was an avid Husker and Minnesota Twins fan.  He loved to watch his grandsons participate in their sporting events, and instilled in them their love of sports.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Bonnie Erickson.

Charlie leaves to celebrate his life; his daughter, Shelly Kayton and her husband, Curtis, of Palisade, Nebraska; two grandsons:  Tyler Kayton and his wife, Jenna of Scottsbluff, Nebraska; and Connor Kayton and his wife, Meriel of Lincoln, Nebraska; his long-time companion, Donna Bentzen of Eden Prairie, Minnesota and her family of California and Minnesota; brother-in-law, Richard Erickson of Holdrege; one nephew, Wade Erickson and his wife, Audra of Colorado Springs, Colorado; along with a host of other relatives and friends.

There will be no visitation or memorial book signing.  The family is honoring Charlie's wish for cremation.

A memorial has been established in Charlie's honor, and kindly suggested to the family for later designation.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.