Louis Smoley

Louis passed away, at his home in Maplewood, MN, with his family by his side, from complications of stage 4 pancreatic cancer.  He was 78 years old.

Louie was born and raised in Eveleth, MN and always remained a loyal “Iron Ranger” his entire life.  He was a valued member of the Eveleth High School Swim team.  He also loved to dance, and enjoyed going to Duluth with friends where they appeared on “Bandstand”, a dance show broadcasted locally in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. Louie served in the Minnesota National Guard from 1961-1967, had basic training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, SC and loved summer camp at Fort Ripley!  He married in 1963, and not wanting to work in the mines, Louie moved with his wife, Priscilla, and young daughter, Melanie, to Saint Paul, MN in 1965.  It was there he found employment as a semi-truck driver, a job he absolutely loved!  He remained a Teamster,  Local 471, until his retirement in 1999, after suffering a cardiac arrest.  He received Last Rites as he wasn’t expected to survive.  Louie miraculously recovered, however, he was left with short-term memory issues which forced his early retirement.  The upside was that he was now able to spend his summers at his beloved family property on Long Lake near Eveleth, MN.  He loved visiting with relatives and friends, which there were many, living “Up North”.  He also enjoyed the cooler summer weather of his former home town. Louie was a devoted and active member of both Maplewood and Northwest ALANO Society, helping and sponsoring many others to achieve sobriety.  He was recently awarded his 40 year medallion, just before his passing. He loved classic cars and could tell you any model, make and year in a heartbeat!  He also loved old county western music, family dinners, TV game shows,  sun tanning at the lake, visiting and participating in the traditional “Long Minnesota Goodbye’s” with family, friends or someone he just met!

Louie was proceeded in death by his parents, Lawrence Louis Smoley, and Anne Frances (Petrich) Smoley, and brother Lawrence “Sonny” Smoley. He is survived by his wife, Priscilla (Chase) Smoley, daughters Melanie (Cris) Moore, Annette (Mike) Haugen, and son Steven (Tracy) Smoley, and grandchildren, Brent and Bryan Moore, Ben, Dylan, Nathan and Michelle Haugen, Lilly Smoley, Franklyn (Felisia) Scott, and great-grandchild Victoria Scott, brother Charles (Linda) Smoley and family.

A private family Celebration of Life is planned.  Also an extended family and friends celebration will be scheduled at Long Lake, for July 2021.  Louis was dearly loved, and will be missed by many.

Thank you to Fairview Hospice, and to Bradshaw funeral and Cremation Services, Stillwater, MN for your caring, concern and assistance through a very difficult time.