Smith, Benjamin Peter

Benjamin Peter Smith, 31, of Cedar Rapids, died Sunday, Sept. 2, 2012. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, at Trinity Lutheran Church. The Rev. David Miller will officiate. Arrangements entrusted to Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.

Surviving are his mother, Susanna “Sue” Smith of Cedar Rapids; his siblings, Rachel (Sean) Settles of Fort Madison and David Smith of Cedar Rapids; his nephews, Caleab and Rodric; and niece, Katlynn; as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Ben was preceded in death by his father, the Rev. Lawrence J. Smith, and his grandparents.

Ben was born on Dec. 9, 1980, in Deep River, Minn. He was baptized at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Deep River on Jan. 9, 1981 by his father. He was confirmed at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Fort Madison. He attended schools in Deep River and Fort Madison, and graduated from Cedar Rapids Jefferson High School. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and a Masters of Divinity from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He was a talented musician and gifted in many languages. He is now safely resting in God's arms.

Memorial donations in Ben's honor may be directed to the family.

Online condolences may be left at, under Obituaries.

Published in The Gazette Sept. 5, 2012.