Steven (Papa/Pops) Russell Smith, 67 of Milo, Iowa, took his last breath on earth and first in Heaven at 11:38 a.m. on October 10, 2026.

Steven was the firstborn of Gary and Vivian (Smith) Smith on September 12, 1959. He was united in marriage to Martha “Marty” Mitchell on July 31, 1982. To this union were born Samantha, S. Scott, their little angel Luke, and their promised Hannah.

Steve retired in 2021 from Broadlawns Medical Center, where he worked as a First Class Stationary Engineer and Certified Locksmith.

He was the best father to his children, always down on the floor playing with them when they were little. They enjoyed recording and playing back fart sounds on the Fisher-Price recorder. Steve worked the third shift for years, so the kids would play on the bed while he slept. Many days, he would wake up with dolls or Hot Wheels under him and wonder why he was so sore. The kids were thankful when Mom taught Dad some new meals to cook. They could only eat so much salmon patties, specialty burgers, fried Spam and scrambled eggs, homemade mac ’n’ cheese, and fries!

Steve spoiled his wife so much that she hardly ever heard the word “no.” He and his beautiful bride loved traveling Iowa’s backroads and exploring together. They often referred to these adventures as their “runaway days.” From their very first date, they could finish each other’s sentences. Steve said he knew after that first date that he had found his soulmate and the girl of his dreams. They were so connected that they often seemed to share one soul, knowing what the other was thinking.

Steve loved playing guitar and taught himself to play. He played in the CR band at ICC for a few years, until physical limitations eventually kept him from playing. He was also known as their “tinker fairy,” always working on something in his second house, also known as the garage. He was especially excited to begin his first big woodworking project: a bookcase requested by “his girl,” granddaughter Ava. “Sorry, ‘my girl,’ I couldn’t finish it for you.”

The grandkids were always asking Papa to fix this or that. He always did his best to repair their broken items, along with the vacuum (also known as unclogging it!). He loved all his grands to Yahweh’s throne room and back.

Steve hoped Yeshua would have his bass boat and fishing equipment ready when they met.

Those left missing him are his soulmate of 46 years, Marty; daughters, Sam (Jerry) Jenkins and Hannah Smith; son, Scott (Kelsi) Smith; grandchildren, Ava Mar, Riley, Kymber, Wyllow Smith, and Houston Jenkins; his fur kid, Ozzie; brother, Thomas Smith; sister, Rebecca (Don) Morrison; and many nieces, nephews, family members, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his son, Luke Allen; granddaughter, Abigail Kathleen Mar; parents, Gary and Vivian Smith; grandparents, Thomas and Marjorie Smith and Robert and Wilma Smith; parents-in-law, Leo C. and Myrtle Mitchell; and his buddy, ol’ pal, Timothy Mitchell.