Obituary for Steve M Smith
Steve Smith, 69, of Stratford passed away Saturday, May 28, 2022, at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames. Visitation will be held from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday, June 5, 2022 at Foster Funeral and Cremation Center, with a private family memorial service to be held at Neese Cemetery at a later date.
Steven Milton Smith, son of Clement and Mary (Johnson) Smith, was born February 15, 1953 in Boone. He graduated from Stratford High School in 1971 and purchased his first hotdog stand in the same year, launching what would become a career in the amusement and concessions industry, while continuing to work on his family farm.
On November 27, 1976, Steve was united in marriage to Vicki Lynn Westerbur in Storm Lake. The couple farmed while growing the concession business; in 1987, Steve and Vicki started Smith Kidland which would grow to become Smith Amusements in 1991.
Their two children, Chad and Amanda, would become a part of the family business which evolved to serve as a cornerstone of county fairs throughout central Iowa. Steve was recognized as Showman of the Year by the Association of Iowa Fairs in 1993 and the Smith family was again honored with the award in 2003. He served as the President of Midwest Showmen’s Association for two years and was inducted into the Association of Iowa Fairs’ Hall of Fame in 2018. In 2017, the couple retired from Smith Amusements and transitioned to new roles as Midway Coordinators for the Iowa State Fair.
Steve loved working in his shop, fixing anything for anyone in need of help; his family was his joy, and he welcomed the opportunity to help neighbors with field work or projects.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Vicki; son and daughter-in-law, Chad and Liz Smith; daughter and son-in-law, Andy and Amanda (Smith) Ingram all of Stratford; grandchildren, Gracie, Gage and Adley; sister, Vickie (Steve) Seliger of Ames and brother, Mike (Lisa) Smith of Kimberling City, MO. Steve was preceded in death by his parents.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that gifts be directed in Steve’s honor for a tribute in Steve’s memory to be determined at a future time.
Steven Milton Smith, son of Clement and Mary (Johnson) Smith, was born February 15, 1953 in Boone. He graduated from Stratford High School in 1971 and purchased his first hotdog stand in the same year, launching what would become a career in the amusement and concessions industry, while continuing to work on his family farm.
On November 27, 1976, Steve was united in marriage to Vicki Lynn Westerbur in Storm Lake. The couple farmed while growing the concession business; in 1987, Steve and Vicki started Smith Kidland which would grow to become Smith Amusements in 1991.
Their two children, Chad and Amanda, would become a part of the family business which evolved to serve as a cornerstone of county fairs throughout central Iowa. Steve was recognized as Showman of the Year by the Association of Iowa Fairs in 1993 and the Smith family was again honored with the award in 2003. He served as the President of Midwest Showmen’s Association for two years and was inducted into the Association of Iowa Fairs’ Hall of Fame in 2018. In 2017, the couple retired from Smith Amusements and transitioned to new roles as Midway Coordinators for the Iowa State Fair.
Steve loved working in his shop, fixing anything for anyone in need of help; his family was his joy, and he welcomed the opportunity to help neighbors with field work or projects.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Vicki; son and daughter-in-law, Chad and Liz Smith; daughter and son-in-law, Andy and Amanda (Smith) Ingram all of Stratford; grandchildren, Gracie, Gage and Adley; sister, Vickie (Steve) Seliger of Ames and brother, Mike (Lisa) Smith of Kimberling City, MO. Steve was preceded in death by his parents.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that gifts be directed in Steve’s honor for a tribute in Steve’s memory to be determined at a future time.