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Stephen Smith
STEPHEN SMITH
Iowa City
Stephen K. Smith, 64, died at home Monday, April 21, 2014, of cancer. A service of remembrance will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 24, at Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service, Iowa City. A time of fellowship will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Hayden Fry Prostate Cancer Research Fund in care of the University of Iowa Foundation.
Steve was born Oct. 10, 1949, in Vermillion, S.D., the son of Rodney R. and Beverly Battey Smith. He grew up in South Sioux City, Neb., and attended the University of Nebraska and later Morningside College, where he met his soulmate and future wife. Steve and Rebecca "Becky" Lieder were married Dec. 22, 1972, and were happily married for over 41 years. Steve was the father of two wonderful sons, Eric and Neil.
Steve was a true renaissance man. He was a writer, a musician, an actor, a comedian, an artist and an accomplished chef. His cooking was legendary. He loved politics, literature, art and all varieties of music. Steve had a beautiful baritone voice and enjoyed singing standards, blues and classical pieces. He played bluegrass banjo, classical guitar, the Irish tin whistle and the lowly nose flute and he loved piano music, specifically Chopin and Rachmaninov. Akumal, Mexico held a special place in Steve and Becky's hearts. They loved snorkeling and swimming and communing with nature. Steve was large in body and spirit. He saw humor in everything and took pleasure in all things absurd or strange. He was truly one of a kind. Steve lived a good life. He will be greatly missed.
Steve is survived by his beloved wife, Becky; and their sons, Eric Smith (Sarah Barrow) and Neil Smith, all of Minneapolis; his mother, Beverly Smith of Sioux City; two brothers, Lee Smith of Venice, Calif., and Bruce (Lisa) Smith of Dakota Dunes, S.D.; his parents-in-law, Lyle and Betty Lieder of Rochester, Minn.; many nieces, nephews, in-laws, cousins, aunts and uncles, dear friends and neighbors; and two special felines, Biff and Lily.
Steve was preceded in death by his father and grandparents.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at
www.lensingfuneral.com
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