Evelyn J. Smith

Funeral services for Evelyn "Tootie" Smith of Norcross, MN will be a private family service.  A Public Visitation will be Monday, November 16, 2020 from 11 am to 1 p.m. at the Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris. Reverend Heather Klason will be officiating, and burial will be at Lakeside Cemetery in Herman, MN.

There will be a live stream of Evelyn's service starting at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, November 16, 2020. To view the service on the Pedersen Funeral Home website, scroll to the bottom of Evelyn's page and click on the link.

While maintaining social distancing guidelines, we are now able to accommodate gatherings of up to 250 people. The use of face masks by attendees is required, and we will continue taking the necessary steps to keep our facility clean. For those who prefer or require continued precautions, webcasting and/or livestreaming is available in most situations.

Evelyn “Tootie” June Smith passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at her daughter’s home in Norcross, MN on Wednesday, November 11, 2020. She was 88 years old.

Evelyn was born on June 25, 1932 in Clements, MN to her parents Fritz Gehrt and Lillie Zamzow. She was the second of five children, which included her four brothers: Lloyd, LeRoy, Larry, and Neil. She attended country school in Lamberton, MN and married Lester Bruns on March 24, 1950. Together they had five children, which she referred to as “her first batch”: Calvin, Gary, Linda, Mark, and Steve. Evelyn worked hard her entire life. Between raising her children and working on the farm in Motley, she also spent several years working at the Singer Sewing Co. and Larson Boatworks. She later married Dennis “Joe” Smith on September 10, 1971. Together they had three children, which she referred to as “her second batch”: Charley, Michele, and Jessica. She was a homemaker for many years, she helped her brother with the Herman Locker Plant, and then worked at Fiskars in Wheaton, MN. She retired after her final and favorite job with PCS Crosswood Group Home in Barrett, MN.

Evelyn cherished time spent with family and friends who all became like family. She loved to sit and have coffee while visiting with company. She was always known to have goodies and sweets on hand. Evelyn spent lots of time in her flower beds, gardening, and canning. She loved to read, sew, crochet, embroider, listen to music, watch westerns, and take care of her cats. Evelyn devoted the last 22 years of her life to her grandchildren. She was a primary caregiver and loved to attend their events. She will be remembered for always having a smile on her face, her laugh, her kindness, and her heart of gold.  

Evelyn is preceded in death by her husband Dennis Smith, her parents Fritz and Lillie Gehrt, her brothers Lloyd, LeRoy, and Larry Gehrt, and her former husband Lester Bruns. 

Evelyn is lovingly remembered by her children: Calvin Bruns of Richfield, MN; Gary Bruns (Karen Dunwell) of Norcross, MN; Linda (Steve) Carver of St. Joseph, MN; Mark Bruns of St. Cloud, MN; Steve Bruns (Linda Medina) of Little Falls, MN; Charley (Kristi) Smith of Herman, MN; Michele McCalip (Todd Amborn) of Wheaton, MN; Jessica (Darin) Krenz of Norcross, MN; her brother Neil (Judi) Gehrt of Cottage Grove, MN; her 18 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.  

Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in care of arrangements for Evelyn.