Donald H. Smedshammer

Donald H. Smedshammer, of Wentzville, MO passed away Sunday, August 18, 2024, at the age of 84. Beloved husband of Reba (Murrell) Smedshammer; cherished son of the late Henry and Signe (Jensen) Smedshammer. Devoted father of Toika (Karl) Collida, Kris (Brian) Jungquist, Katrina (Charles) Blankenship; loving grandfather of Nikko (Lauren) Collida, Hailey Collida, Sydney Jungquist, Rachel Jungquist, Dakotah Blankenship, and Julia Blankenship; special family members Lotta (Erik) Ӧster and her children Emil Ӧster and Ina Ӧster; brother of Grace (Emil) Dunham. Preceded in death by sister, Hazel (Truman) Stenhjem; and two brothers, Howard (Harriet) Smedshammer and Ronald (Diane) Smedshammer. 

Don was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

 A Celebration of LIfe is planned for November 23, 2024. Details to follow. 

Memorials may be made in Donald’s name to the American Diabetes Association or Living Lord Lutheran Church, Lake St. Louis. 

Don was born in Lisbon, North Dakota and raised in the small town of Enderlin, North Dakota. At 24 years old, he met his beloved wife, Reba in Billings, Montana where he was a disc jockey on the radio and she was working as a flight attendant with Frontier Airlines. She and another flight attendant called into the radio station to request a song. After talking with them, Don’s co-worker got the girls’ address, but wrote it down wrong so they never met up that night. The following day, Don looked up their phone number and made contact again, this time with Reba. He kept trying to persuade her to let him come over for a visit. She eventually gave in and it was love at first sight. They were married in April 1963 and welcomed Toika and Kris while living in Montana. Job offers would continue to move them from city to city including Tulsa, Oklahoma followed by Overland Park, Kansas and finally Chicago, Illinois which was where their third daughter Katrina was born. They ultimately settled in Creve Coeur, Missouri where they raised their family. Don and Reba moved to Lake St. Louis, MO after their children married and moved into their own homes. Throughout his life, Don enjoyed woodworking and golfing. He was especially known and appreciated for growing the Junior Golf League in Lake St. Louis and teaching beginners the rules and etiquette of the game. In early 2024, they made their last move to their new villa in Wentzville, Missouri. 

Don was proud of his Scandinavian heritage and was excited to learn about an opportunity to host a foreign exchange student. He and Reba quickly set that plan in motion and Lotta was welcomed into their home in the fall of 1983. Lotta spent the entire senior school year as a part of the family. That created a lifelong bond and continues to this day, which now includes her husband Erik and their two children, Emil and Ina. 

Don was a proud grandfather and cherished every moment spent with his six grandchildren, whether sharing his love of the game of golf, taking them for rides on the pontoon, working together in his wood shop, or engaging in long, thoughtful conversations (and sometimes healthy debates!) that often lasted late into the night. He taught them that their opinion was important but always encouraged them to consider another person’s perspective. He supported them in their individual pursuits, be it sports, music or art. 

He was a constant source of guidance and encouragement for his children and grandchildren, always there for them with love and dedication. 

Don and Reba enjoyed traveling to several states in the U.S. and many countries in Europe as well as the Bahamas and Mexico. He was able to visit 41 of the 50 states through vacation and work travel. It was during one of those vacations that Reba surprised Don for his birthday with the lifelong dream of tee times at the legendary Pebble Beach Golf Links. Don celebrated three hole-in-ones in his lifetime, though he would say he secured four of them! 

Because of his gift of a strong deep voice, he built a career in radio and also did many voiceovers and industrial films. Though that was a career he loved and enjoyed, his most favorite was serving the Lord by performing as the Lay Assistant at the churches he attended. He was also honored to emcee at numerous Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day celebrations in Lake St. Louis. 

Don will be remembered as an authentic, truthful and devoted man, along with Reba, who have made many friendships through church, golf and their yearly “Snowbird” trips to Florida. 

You have given us the best things in life: your time, your wisdom, but most of all your love. We are truly grateful to have had you in our lives and will miss you until we meet again.