Richard Smothers

Richard "Swede" Smothers
May 24, 1930 - September 18, 2009
Keota, Iowa
Visitation: 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. September 20, 2009 at Powell Funeral Home - Keota
Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m. September 21, 2009 at Powell Funeral Home - Keota
Interment: September 21, 2009 at Keota Cemetery
KEOTA-Richard L. "Swede" Smothers, age 79, of Keota, died Friday, September 18, 2009, at Maplewood Manor in Keota. Swede was born May 24, 1930, near Wellman, to Emmett and Laura (Cox) Smothers and graduated from North English High School. He served in the Army Air Force from 1949 until 1952. On May 5, 1951, he married Marilyn Jeanne Henderson at the United Methodist Church in Keota. The couple made their home in Keota where Swede delivered and applied agricultural products for several businesses in the Keota area. He was a member of the American Legion and served on the Keota Volunteer Fire Department for several years. Swede was an avid Hawkeye fan and enjoyed mushroom hunting, being out in nature, taking the old Model A fire truck to parades and spending time with his family. Survivors include ten children: Brad Smothers and wife Marilyn of Riverside, Greg Smothers and wife Holly of Jefferson City, Missouri, Jeff Smothers and wife Marilyn of Washington, Joni Redlinger and husband Denny of Keota, Jerry Smothers and wife Liz of Solon, Lori Smothers and friend Karol Brenneman of Wellman, Deb Smothers and friend Stephanie Stead of Phoenix, Arizona, Bonnie Black and husband Brad of Sigourney, Mary Ollinger and husband John of Keota and Bill Smothers and wife Amanda of Sigourney; 23 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; one brother: Clifford Smothers of Millersburg and two sisters: Louise Lockridge of North English and Joann Davidson of Dubuque. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife: Jeanne in 2002; daughter: Rebecca Lynn; grandson: Daniel Smothers and three brothers: Gerald, Dale and Arnold Smothers. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, September 21, 2009, at Powell Funeral Home in Keota, with Rev. Dennis Hopes officiating. Interment will be at Keota Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 20, 2009, at Powell Funeral Home in Keota. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Compassus Hospice or the Keota Volunteer Fire Department. Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Keota is caring for Swede and his family. Condolences may be e-mailed at www.powellfuneralhomes.com under obituaries.