"Sending love to you sweet nephew. Please watch over us and guide our steps as we continue the path of our lives without you. Steven will be always missed, never forgotten, & forever loved.
To the rest of our family: Tina, Don, Carry, Shelly, Judy, Dave, Brandy, & Ben, my heart goes out to you all. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help. If I am able to it will be done. Sending loving and healing vibes to all of you. "
In loving memory of
Steven Smith
January 24, 1991 - March 5, 2021
Winona, MN - Steven Kenneth Smith, 30, of Winona, MN died on Friday, March 5, 2021, at his home.
Steven was born on January 24, 1991, to Donald and Christina (Kaldunski) Smith.
Steven was raised in Winona and graduated from Winona Senior High School in 2009. He served in the U.S. Army for two tours in Iraq. Steven was a private person who wore his heart on his sleeve. He enjoyed a simple life, woodcarving, his favorite character baby Yoda, hanging out with his friends and would do anything for anybody.
Steven is survived by his parents: Donald and Christina; his stepmother, Carry; two siblings: Brandy Marie Smith and Benjamin Dale Smith; grandmother, Judy Dickson; and a niece, Aliyah.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents: Rita and Robert Kaldunski, and Kenneth O. Dickson.
There will be a graveside service at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston, MN at a later date.
Hoff Celebration of Life Center in Goodview, MN is assisting the family with arrangements.
Tributes
"Steven was the person to give me my title as an auntie. He was always such a sweet, gentle, and caring boy, that grew up to be a kind, loving, and generous man. He was truly a unique and one of a kind guy. He had a heart of pure gold, and was joy to be around. I still can?t believe he is gone. I?m going to miss him terribly. He was the type of person who would go out of his way to put a smile on your face when you were down, and also very reliable to help his family when he could. Fly with the angels my sweet nephew! Your wings were ready but our hearts were not! You will always be loved and never forgotten. "
"My first day at the 110th in Fort Carson I met Steve. We were in driver\'s training together, and we spent every day at work together and every weekend we\'d hang together. I have never had the privilege of knowing someone so positive about the world, and supportive of the people around him. Even if you were a stranger to Steve, he\'d take his shirt off his back for you and gladly suffer knowing he\'d helped someone succeed. He wasn\'t much of a tipper though, hahaha. We would karaoke at the bar by my house every Friday, we\'d have free pitchers of beer waiting, and the DJ would have our songs ready and waiting. I can\'t believe I\'ll never hear his voice again through my headset, or get to go out on the lake with him. I\'m honored to have known him, to have called him my friend and my brother. At least now when I dream of the mountains in the west and the desert in the east, I\'ll see my brother again. I love you, Smitty. And I\'ll be seeing you, brother."
"Smitty and I deployed together to Afghanistan back in 2012. We have been chatting and gaming together ever since. He was always down for a good laugh and was good company whenever you wanted some. He was and will remain my brother. Till Valhalla Smitty. I\'ll see you again in the halls of the Allfather. "
"Steven was my oldest nephew. He had a unique smile. I will miss him very much. He left us way too early. If only I could hear your voice one more time. "
"Don and family, So sorry to hear of the loss of your son Steven. Don I remember us going to WSHS and you were the nicest, caring person. I believe Steven was a lot like you. May God watch over you and your family."