72, Superior, died suddenly Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2007, at St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth.
He was born in Superior July 4, 1935, to Harriet (Smith) and Perry Smith. He lived in Tucson, Ariz., Minneapolis, Duluth, East Grand Forks, and most recently NayTahWaush, Minn., before returning to his birthplace last year.
As a teenager, Perry set pins at Waletzko Bowling Alley, and became an excellent bowler. He graduated from Superior East High School in 1953 and then joined the U.S. Army, serving a tour in Germany.
Perry worked for Western Electric, U.S. Steel Co., and Great Northern Railroad. Later, he managed a bar at Liberty Lanes Bowling Alley in East Grand Forks where he taught his children the fundamentals and fine points of bowling; as a result, his son Jeff became a professional bowler.
He was a member of the American Legion and also of the VFW, having served as a vice commander.
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Perry was a member of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Ojibway and greatly appreciated his Indian heritage. He was so proud that his grandfather, Edward C. Smith (Indian Smith) had been captain of the steamer America, which sailed from Duluth to Canada via Isle Royale before there were any roads or railroads to take people or goods up the North Shore. He had such a love for Lake Superior and its ship traffic, and visited Canal Park and Barker's Island many times a week just to watch the marine traffic.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Wayne Dembroski; brother, Richard Smith and sister, Joan Shaw Kobbervig.
Perry is survived by three sons, Jon (Brenda) Dembroski of Indianapolis, Ind., Roger (Lisa) Smith of East Grand Forks, Minn. and Jeffrey (Mary) Smith of Little Falls, Minn.; three daughters, Donna (Tom Waldburger) Dembroski of Minocqua, Kim Smith of Stafford, Va. and Michelle Smith of Little Falls, Minn.; 19 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sister, Delores (Jim) Benner of Washington Courthouse, Ohio, brother, Thomas Smith of Cloquet, Minn., sister, Marjorie (Stanley) Ellison of Englewood, Fla.; many extended family, as well as his former wife, Elizabeth Wadarski of Little Falls, Minn.; his partner and first wife, Kathleen Dembroski of Superior; and her children, Charlene (Paul) Lind of Duluth and Chuck Dembroski, Superior; also survived by Tom, good friend and AA sponsor.
Perry was very special to the LaVoy family and friends at Pinehurst Resort in NayTahWaush, and will be sadly missed by all who knew him there. A very special "thank you" from the family to Dr. David Jorde and Dr. Jeff Johnson who helped Perry manage several health issues. The family is grateful to the Heart Center at St. Mary's Medical Center and all the wonderful doctors there.
A memorial service will be held 1:30 p.m. Monday at the Cremation Society of Minnesota, 4100 Grand Ave., Duluth, (218) 624-5200. Military honors accorded by the Duluth Combined Honor Guard, reception immediately follows at the Billings Park Civic Center at 3903 N. 18th St. in Superior.
