Theodore Smith, age 94, of Broadus

Ted Smith Memorial Service from Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home on Vimeo.

Therodore Richard (Ted) Smith, age 94, passed away and went to be with Lord on Wednesday, March 2, 2022 at Holy Rosary Hospital in Miles City, Montana. Ted was born to Carl and Inez Kelsey Smith on October 7, 1927 in Miles City in the Darcy Hospital, the only hospital at that time. Ted was raised on his parent’s ranch at Olive, Montana with his brother, Kenneth and younger sister, Cora . Their first home was a three-room log cabin with a hand water pump in the kitchen. Rattlesnakes, mice and rats were frequently trying to invade their home. Ted needed glasses in his younger years. His first pair of glasses were purchased for $35 from money earned by picking up bones from dead cattle and selling them.

Ted and his brother, Ken attended the Jesse School, Olive School and the Bidwell School. All were one room school buildings. Ted graduated from Broadus High School in 1945. In that year a new sister joined the family, Cora Mae, who was 21 months old. Ken was 19 and Ted was 18. Ted attended Montana State College (MSU) In Bozeman for about two years. It was said that Ted was having too much fun at college! He returned to the ranch to work for his father. Ted did read a variety of literature. He loved reading history and biographies, autobiographies and local papers and farm and ranch magazines.

He met his bride to be, Ellen Wallin from Rosebud, Montana in the town of Broadus. He was on a date with Bonnie, Ellen’s best friend. Ted’s date, Bonnie, was swooped up by another young man. Ellen recently said the young man was a local rancher, Lawrence Capra. Ted found Ellen was more to his liking. Ellen and Bonnie were first year teachers at the high school. Ted and Ellen were married June 2, 1951 at the Presbyterian Church in Billings. They had a big snowstorm a few days before the wedding. Many friends and family could not attend because of the bad roads. At the wedding, Ted’s Dad said, “Look at Bud. He is so nervous.” He had his fists clenched. Bud was a nickname Ted had in his earlier years. They celebrated their 70th anniversary on June 2, 2021.

Ted and Ellen purchased their 360 acres next to highway 59 which joined the rest of the Smith ranch in the Olive community. The couple lived in the home on their land until 1961 where a new home was built nearby. Ted loved the view beyond their home of the beautiful hills and nearby pine trees. On June 9, 1952 their son, Charles Douglas was born. On August 1, 1953 their daughter, Elaine Susan was born. Mary Elizabeth came along on March 14, 1956. Ted and Ellen lived in the Broadus-Olive area most of their lives. Except a brief move to Pendleton, Oregon in 1968. Ted tried his career at selling Farm Bureau Insurance in that state. In 3 months the family moved back to the ranch on the Kent place near Coalwood for a year. He sold Farm Bureau Insurance for about 9 years. Then, returned to their home. In 1994, Ted and Ken divided the Carl M. Smith ranch due to growing families. At that time the family moved to the Luckuck place on the Little Powder River for 16 years. They moved back to the original ranch house when their son and family moved to Oklahoma. They lived in the original home until their last two moves. They lived in an apartment in Broadus for a
few years. Ted moved into the Powder River Manor first. Ellen joined him permanently in 2021. Both survived having covid. They were together until Ted’s death.

Ted raised wheat and Hereford cattle. In those years, Ted and Ellen and family did lots of neighbor visiting, playing Sunday afternoon ping pong, picnics after church, skating and snowmobiling, branding time and fishing. Ted also loved bowling and was on a team for a few years at the Powder River Lanes. He loved being involved with his children and neighbors in 4-H activities. He liked politics as his parents did. He ran for state legislation. He lost the campaign but enjoyed keeping up with politics and policies that would benefit Montana. Those memories and community Easter egg hunts, watching Broadus Hawks games, music concerts that Ellen was involved in, family reunions and holidays and other ties made memories not to be forgotten.

Ted loved many activities. Fishing with his fishing partner, Charlie Emmons and teaching his grandchildren to fish. He also liked to hunt and go camping. He hunted and collected arrowheads and Native American artifacts. He has a large collection which will be placed in the Powder River Museum. He enjoyed horseshoes, gardening, riding horses, raising cattle. He loved his barn cats and their dogs they had all their lives. One of his favorites was Walter, a mixed German shepherd. In their later years, Ted and Ellen took many trips in their motor home to visit friends, family and new places to discover. They loved going in the winters to warm Arizona during the cold Montana weather. They went to Disneyland. Ted noted he got sick on one of the rides! They went to Hawaii for one of their anniversaries. Dad loved seeing the ranches and ocean there. He got to fish in the Pacific Ocean, Canada lakes, rivers and lakes in other states. Some of his favorite places to fish was the Tongue River and the Little Powder River where he caught large catfish!

Ted and Ellen loved family gatherings, reunions, and events with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. One of his favorite games with the kids was Monopoly and card games. The most important decision in his life is when Ted accepted Jesus Christ into his life. Ellen and Ted attended church and were involved in many activities all their lives in the churches they attended. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge. His faith grew strong especially in his later years. He believed in working hard, having faith, love family and friends and strangers he met. He was the kind of man that would stop and help a driver with a flat tire or fight a neighbor’s wildfire. He was faithful to his wife all their 70 years together. He loved it when family and friends dropped in for coffee and to visit.

Ted is survived by his wife, Ellen of Broadus, Montana. His sister, Cora Mae (Robert-Bob) Ofstie of Oregon and his son, Charles (Susan) of Oklahoma and grandchildren Matthew Smith, Lisa (Joshua) Stevenson, and Katie (Austin)Troyer. Oldest daughter, Elaine (Mike) Jenkins of Minnesota and grandson Phillip (Jenni) Nelson. Youngest daughter, Mary Smith Roig and grandchildren Anna Roig (Matt Martin), Isaac (Taylor) Roig, and Maggie Roig (Dusty Rhoads). Chris Roig has always been a special part of the family.
Great Grandchildren are Ethan Nelson, Brantley, Landon, Savannah Grace and Colt Jace Stevenson, Titus and Micah Troyer, Ryann and Rowan Roig.

Ted is also survived by many nephews, nieces, cousins and great nieces and nephews. Ted was proceeded in death by his parents, Carl and Inez Smith, his brother, Kenneth and sister-in-law, Coila Smith, and grandsons, Eric Nelson and Lars John Nelson. His brother in laws, Doug (Lillian) Wallin and John (Wilma) Wallin.

Should friends and family desire, memorials may be made to the Broadus Senior Citizens and the Powder River Manor. Please write cards to Ellen Smith and family at Powder River Manor
PO Box 719
Broadus, Montana 59317
Ellen Smith’s cell is 406) 935-3069
The memorial service will be in May of 2022. The time and date will be announced at a later date. Condolences can be made to the family at www.stevensonandsons.com.

Service Schedule

Memorial Service

10:30 AM

Saturday May 21, 2022

Powder River Congregational Church

309 Wilson Street

Broadus, MT 59317

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Interment

After Memorial Service

Saturday May 21, 2022

Valley View Cemetery

Broadus, MT 59317

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Luncheon

Following Interment

Saturday May 21, 2022

Powder River Congregational Church

309 Wilson Street

Broadus, MT 59317

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