Roland F. Smith

Roland F. Smith “Smitty” passed away on May 28, 2023. Roland was born on January 31, 1936 in High Point, Iowa to Walter Roland Smith and Mildred Smith Andersen. He attended elementary school in Leon, Iowa and later moved to Des Moines with his mother in 1947. Roland graduated from East High School in 1954.

Roland married Jamie Battoe in 1956. From that union, they were blessed with four children. Roland worked as a Union Carpenter and then went on to become the Assistant Business Agent – Financial Secretary for the Carpenter’s Local Union 106 until his retirement in 1994.
Family was very important to him. He loved holidays and other family gatherings where he could sit back and listen to the laughter and conversations. When he was unable to get out to mingle with friends, he looked forward to visits with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and the fur babies.

Roland is survived by his daughters, Kim (Guy) Graham, Kelly O’Bannon and Keely Smith; grandchildren, Scott Pueschel, Richard O’Bannon, Cassandra Anderson, Nick Pueschel, Kristin Staley and Haley Pueschel; and eight great-grandchildren.

Roland was preceded in death by his loving wife Jamie, his son Kristian Smith and great-grandson Dominic Staley.

Roland will be remembered for his devotion and unconditional love of his family and friends. He loved socializing and was always up for making new friends. He would scan every room he walked into for a familiar face.

Visitation will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, June 10, 2023, followed by a Celebration of Life at 12:00 p.m., at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Ave., Des Moines.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Iowa – Best Buddies International in memory of Roland.

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