Ken Smith

1958 - 2025

Kenneth Dale Smith beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend passed away in Calgary on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at the age of 66 years.

The celebration of Ken’s life was held at the Royal Canadian Legion, 5205 - 48 Avenue, Taber, on Saturday, May 24, 2025 between 1:00 P.M. and 3:00 P.M.

Ken is survived by his daughter Indeanna Smith (Taku Nishimatsu); grandson Dante Nishimatsu; sisters Linda (Tracey) Birch, Lorraine Clark and Sherry (David) Walker; sisters-in-law Judy Smith, Sonja Smith and Marilyn Smith as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by his father Wilbert Smith; mother Thelma Winchester; stepfather Norton Winchester; brothers Wayne Smith, Robert Smith and Leo Smith as well as many cousins.

Ken was born in Taber on August 9, 1958, the son of Thelma (née Makinson) and Wilbert Smith. He was later raised alongside his sisters by his mother and stepfather Norton Winchester. Growing up Ken attended Taber Central School and later WR Myers High School. Ken eventually went on to apprentice under Norman Pedersen to become a finishing carpenter, completing his education at NAIT and going on to work for Jager Homes and Cedarglen Homes. Ken always loved working with wood, specifically oak, and as a hobby and second job he could often be found driving a tractor out on his farm. His first farm was 136 acres on the Highwood river south of Calgary, where he lived and worked while also working in Calgary, until retiring in 2005. In 2007, Ken moved to a smaller farm east of Okotoks, where he built his own custom house over the course of two years. He was very proud of this accomplishment and always said he would have liked to have built and flipped more houses. Ken eventually went on to sell and moved to a twenty acre farm, just north of Lethbridge, where he planned to subdivide eventually. Ken always loved learning about his own family history and would often research the Makinson family in his spare time. He will be lovingly remembered by his family and friends.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Ken’s name may be made directly to the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation, 960 - 19 Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 1W5.