Neil Wade Smith Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Neil Wade Smith “Smitty” was born August 1, 1946 in Imperial, Nebraska to Myron C. and Viola (Keller) Smith. Neil and his family lived in Madrid, NE, then moved to St. Edward, NE, and then Beaver City, NE, before settling in Valley, NE. Neil graduated from Valley High School in 1964. He played basketball and football for the Terriers. After graduation, he went to work for Western Electric. In 1965, he married Colette McKillip, two children were born; Jeffrey and Angela. Neil remarried in 1990 when Brandon Carr was born. In 1978, Neil realized working in a manufacturing plant wasn’t his cup of tea, so he started work with Nebco farms, working with the ranch raising cattle, haying, and riding his horse every day. He got to do what he loved, team roping, branding, working calves and trail rides. It was his passion. Never was one to turn down a Hamm’s beer or two with friends. Neil retired from the ranch due to the injured back that prevented him from working the ranch. While raising his family in the early years, Neil and his family loved horse shows and rodeos; traveling all around the state just to get a show in on the weekends. His mom and dad, his sister, Karma, and family, Jeff and Angie. Anyone on a horse he would talk to. Many memories were made in those days. He had a fast horse, one that was entered in the state fair barrel racing, and won! He always had to tell Jeff about his childhood horse, Sugarfoot, and how he rode it to school. To this day, he still has a clipping of its tail. Neil loved basketball (Boston Celtics), Nebraska Football, Raiders, and was a closet Chiefs fan. He played slow pitch softball for Honest John’s in his younger years, fishing and boating at Lake Leba. He loved to golf and spend a lot of time with friends drinking a cold one on the patio. Neil loved his friend time, and spoke about it often. Anyone who knew him thought he was the only person they knew that drank Hamm’s beer! When he found time, he would go watch Kelsey and Nate at sporting events, and would watch them show their cattle at the fair. His love of cattle has passed on to Nathan. He loved an old- fashioned ham and cheese sandwich and a bowl of tomato soup. Neil passed away in his sleep Wednesday, January 13, 2022 at the age of 75. He was preceded in death by parents Myron C. & Viola Smith, brother Bruce, and granddaughter Kelsey May Smith. Neil is survived by son Jeff and Judy Smith, and their son Nathan of Waterloo, daughter, Angela and Jose Zuniga of Peoria, Arizona, son Brandon and Kim Smith of Omaha, and their kids Avery and Brecken, sister Karma and Richard Ritzdorf of Columbus, NE, and special friend Jan Woodgate of Valley, and many nieces and nephews. Special Thank You to some special people; Rex and Brenda and Alan Schmitz, Jan and Jeana, Amber Cherny, Maddie and Kenzi, Jeff and Nate and Judy, who was there daily to the end. Memorial service Tuesday at 11 AM at the funeral home in Elkhorn, with visitation one hour prior. Inurnment at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Elkhorn. Memorials to the family for later designation.

Neil Wade Smith

August 1, 1946 - January 13, 2022