Ronald Gene (Ronnie) Smith, 78, went home to be with our Lord on March 13, 2024, at 7:56 a.m. with loved ones by his side.
Ronnie was born April 2, 1945 in Malta, Montana to Gail and Myrtle as their youngest son. He was raised in Phillips County, Montana on the family farm. He attended grade school at Strater country school and graduated from Malta High School.
After graduation he entered the workforce, mastering many trades including carpentry, plumbing, oil field, and construction, but has always been a cowboy at heart; be it calving, branding, breaking horses, haying, irrigating, and raising livestock.
He was blessed by the birth of his daughter, Ronda Gail on August 31, 1967, and his son, Jason Shane on September 21, 1969. He married his love, Elizabeth (Liz) Rudolph on August 14, 1979 in Malta, Montana. They were married 45 years.
He was an avid gardener and an honorary member of the Miles City Garden Club for 25 years. He was also a member of the Eagles Club. Other hobbies Ronnie enjoyed were westerns, dancing, lapidary, and card games, especially Cribbage and Pinochle.
Ronnie was proceeded in death by his parents, Gail and Myrtle Smith of Malta, Montan, his brothers Douglas Gail Smith of Miles City and Gary Lee Smith of Miles City.
He is survived by his wife Elizabeth Smith of Miles City, his children Ronda Gail (Stan) Stobie of Sherwood, OR, and son Jason Shane (Gayle) Smith of Belgrade, MT, his grandchildren, Lindsay, Leann, Jennah, and Sam. His sister Lorna Mae (Jim) Humbert of Malta, MT, brother-in-law Gary “Butch” (Connie) Rudolph of Idaho Falls, ID, sister-in-law Sharon Smith of Miles City, brother at heart, Don (Dee) Sams of Miles City, MT, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Saturday August 17, 2024
Lunch will be served at 1:00 PM
Trafton Park
Malta, Montana 59538
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Saturday August 17, 2024
Lunch will be served at 1:00 PM
Trafton Park
Malta, Montana 59538
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Dee McLellan-Sams says
Liz and family,
We are so very sorry. You and Ronnie have been such a huge part of our lives. The best friends and neighbors ever. Sharing stories, laughing, getting into trouble, cutting firewood, haying, calving and branding. Every thing was so much fun! We have the bench the two of you built for us in memory of Don’s twin brother, Ronnie and his sister, Marge and brother-in-law Jake. We can never say thank you enough. We love both of you so very much. You and you family in in our hearts, thoughts and prayers.
Don and Dee Sams
Julie K says
Liz, I’m so sorry for your loss. Ronnie was always a bright spot in Parker’s. Keep your memories close. ❤️😘
Jenn Schwab says
Liz, I’m so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and your family.
Love you
Sheri Parker says
Liz,
I’m so sorry to hear on Ronnie’s passing. You will be in my thoughts and prayers and Ronnie will be missed by all at Parkers.
MARTHA J CRANDALL says
My sympathy
Deb Bickel says
Our deepest condolences Liz.
Randy & Deb Bickel
Ron Watts says
Our sincere sympathy Liz🙏 Ronnie was such a fun person!!
linda walker says
I am sad for you Liz. He was quite a guy!
Donna Leitholt-Taylor says
Liz and family I am so sorry for your loss.
Betty Vail says
Liz,
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Louise de Montigny says
Dear Liz and family,
My condolences for your loss of Ron. He certainly has some good souls anxious to greet him again! Here’s to many happy memories as you celebrate Ronnie’s life. Peace to you all.
Charlotte Miller says
Liz and all of Ronnie’s family,
Sending thoughts of sympathy and friendship your way in your loss of Ronnie. Our connection goes way back to days in Phillips County. Whenever we were thinking about something that happened in Malta and could not remember it all, Dad would always say “Call Ronnie Smith, he will remember” and he usually did! He will be missed by so many of us.
Jason, Nyoka, Libby & Paige Twitchell says
Ronnie’s family, sorry to hear about the loss of another great Phillips County cowboy,. Ronnie was one of the first people we seen from back home when we moved to Miles City. Sending our sympathy.
Crystal Moore & Rod, Talen, Ridge Miller says
Liz and family! We are so sorry to hear this news. We are sure thinking of you all. Please let us know if we can be of any help! Remember all them good and fun memories! For some reason, I can see Ronnie riding a horse across a pasture with a big ol grin on his face in heaven. RIP Ronnie! 🙏❤️🙏❤️
Carla Hansen says
I did not know of your loss, Liz, when I saw you recently. Our first acquaintance with Ron and you was when he was the irrigation manager out in Kinsey. Our sympathy goes to you and your family.