Fern Smith

Fern Ruth (Baukol) Smith, 80, of Detroit Lakes, MN, passed away Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at Essentia Health in Fargo, ND.

Fern Ruth Baukol was born on October 15, 1940 to Arnt and Gustine (Meyer) Baukol in Flom, MN. She was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church in Flom, MN. Fern attended high school in Waubun, MN before going on to further her education by taking transcriptionist classes. Fern also worked as a nurse’s aide at St. Mary’s for many years. Fern worked for most of her life as a medical transcriptionist. She worked for a Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, MN, until 2012 when her family moved to Detroit Lakes where she retired in 2016.

Fern was united in marriage to Donovan Smith on September 23, 1983 and to this union a son Charles was born.

Fern enjoyed baking and gardening, but she was most known for her sewing. She would make baby blankets and then donate them to Catholic Indian Ministries or to the White Earth Clinic. She also made blankets for the Dialysis units, but Fern also made blankets for her family and friends. Fern liked watching old western movies, the Andy Griffith show, and the news. She loved to visit with her family and friends. Fern was a caring soul, who was very giving and willing to help anyone in need.

Deeply loved, Fern’s passing will be mourned by her son Charles Smith, her brother Archie “Skip” Baukol, her sister-in-law Lucille Baukol, her nephews Paul and Michael Baukol, and close family friends Vicki and Jake Hahn.

She is preceded in death by her husband Donovan, her parents Arnt and Gustine, her brother Gene, brother-in-law Llewellyn Smith, and sister-in-law Waureen Dooley.