Gerald “Jake” Kimball Smith, 96, of Scottsbluff, formerly of Gering, Nebraska passed away on February 15, 2021 at the Northfield Retirement Care Center. Services will be held in the Spring of 2021. Memorials may be given to the First United Methodist Church in Gering. Online condolences may be left at www.geringchapel.com
He was born November 24, 1924 to George W. and Florence (Johnson) Smith in a straw bale house on the family homestead north or Arthur, the eldest of three sons. After graduating from the 8th grade he went to work for Meyers Land and Cattle Company where he worked as a ranch hand, foreman, and eventually general manager for 45 years. During this time of employment, he lived in Whitman, NE, Arthur, NE, Walden CO, and Alliance, NE.
Jake married Rhoda Lee Anderberg on October 4 1953 in Arthur and to this union four children were born.
After retiring from ranching, Jake went to work for Abbott Bank in Alliance as an Agricultural Loan Inspector for several years. In 2008 Jake and Rhoda moved to Gering. They were able to remain in their own home until February of 2020 when they moved into assisted living.
Jake was a member of the Methodist Church, the Nebraska Stock Growers Association, and a 50 year member of the Elks Lodge. Jake’s knowledge of the Sandhills, ranching and cattle was featured in an NETV special in 1979, “Four Seasons in the Sandhills.”
Jake is survived by his wife of 67 years, four children: George (Sondie) of Bertrand, NE, Rhonda (Dave) Groshans of Gering, Waldo (Melanie) of Columbus, NE, and Lillas (Shawn) Hemenway of Roca, NE; nine grandchildren, the eleventh great-grandchild is due in May; sisters-in-law Mavis Smith, Hazel Smith, and Mary Ann Anderberg; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jake was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Arvid and Waldo Smith, brothers and sisters-in-law Orland and Winefred Anderberg, Donna and Kayo Serfling, Eloise and Walt Heap, Jim and Jean Anderberg, Rose Marie and “Blackie” Black, and Harlan Anderberg.