Leland E Smith (Smitty), age 77, of Helena passed away peacefully in his loving home on February 21st after a short-term, hard-fought battle against cancer, for which there was no treatment options available.
Smitty was born May 20th 1947 in Corinth, Mississippi to L.E and Juanita Smith. As an only child, L.E and Juanita had their family moving from to state to state; Arizona, Wyoming, and finally Montana following the brick trade. They stopped in Helena when Smitty was in 5th grade and came to the conclusion that it was time for Leland to find roots and establish himself in the community.
Smitty attended Hawthrone Grade School, Helena Jr High, and graduated from Helena High School, Class of 1965. Athletics were a significant part of his life. He ran the mile in track, ran cross country, and played basketball as well. Even though sports were important, he was a member of the 3-7-77 club, which was a service organization that Smitty took great pride in being a part of. After high school, he attended MSU – Bozeman graduating with a Construction Technology Degree.
After graduating from Bozeman, Smitty came home to work the masonry contracting business with his father and learning the foundation of the brick trade. In 1967, Leland married the love of his life, Sharon Horne. They had two beautiful children, Shawn Smith and Robyn VanHemelryck. Smitty and Sharon enjoyed fifty-seven and half years together traveling to follow their children and grandchildren with sports and extra-circular activities. Leland’s parents established Smitty’s Fireplace Shop in 1970 where he came to work with them again, taking over the business until his own retirement. Leland was fortunate to have his children (Shawn and Robyn), son-in-law (Dean), and his grandchildren (Shelby and Carson) working at the family business that his parent’s (L.E and Juanita), Sharon and himself worked so hard in establishing in the community of Helena. Smitty’s Fireplace Shop is now a four-generation working business.
Smitty has always said how fortunate he was to have so many amazing friends. He hunted and fished with Gary Mann for 55 years, but better yet worked with him for 35 years. Bill Huyser was a close business associate who became a great personal friend that he also hunted and golfed with. Marty Mouat and Bob Guffy were also good golfing buddies of Leland. Marty Mouat and Smitty would spend countless hours discussing their grandchildren’s sports activities along with local sports teams. Leland has many more friends, but too numerous to mention. You all know who you are and Leland is forever thankful for you.
Leland was preceded in death by his parents, L.E and Juanita Smith. He is survived by his wonderful wife Sharon Smith, son Shawn Smith, daughter Robyn VanHemelryck (Dean), his five grandchildren; Bryson Smith, Brittany Carlson (Tyler), Kylee Hauck (Ryan), Shelby VanHemelryck, Carson VanHemelryck, and finally his great grandchild, Harper Hauck.
Smitty was one of the strongest, most genuine, caring, and stubborn people you could come across. He touched so many lives in a positive manner. Smitty had very strong values and morals; who always tried to do what was right no matter how difficult it was. He is loved and missed by all. Smitty will surely be watching over us from above.
Per Smitty’s request, there will be no public services as we are only doing a private family gathering. In Lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in memory of Leland E. Smith to Enhabit Home Health and Hospice, 2827 Airport Rd, Helena MT 59601. Our family would like to thank Katherine Bell, Brooke Carriger, and the rest of the staff at Enhabit Home Health and Hospice for their compassionate care.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Thomas Juhl says
Condolences to the Family, Leland my old friend you will be missed…..R.I.P………
Nancy Tyanich says
Sharon, Robyn and Shawn and family. I’m so sorry to hear of Lee’s passing. He was a wonderful man. Kind and gentle with a great sense of humor. I felt like he was my brother in law and Sharon my sister. He will be missed. Happy hunting my brother. Nancy Tyanich
Phil Davidson says
Leland,
We had many wonderful Cross Country and Track experiences and shared lots of hunting stories. I have great memories of this. Rest in peace my dear friend,
Barb Hurni Johnson O’Connell says
. . . An incredibly ’Kind Soul’!
Bob L. Radcliffe says
Leland was an outstanding person and his son Shawn is just like him, I always enjoyed stopping by the shop and having great conversations, and doing business with Leland and his son. He will be truly missed, my sincere condolences go out to his family.
Dean Retz says
Sue and I are very sad to hear of Leland’s passing. So many memories of seeing him at Smitty’s as well as playing against him in basketball. It was so wonderful to read about Leland in the Curt Synnness LOOKING BACK article recently in the IR! We will always think of him when we come to Smitty’s!!! GOD BLESS
Josephine and Dallas Johnson says
Enjoyed Leland and Gary so much when they came up to Sheridan County pheasant hunting. They sure loved their hunting.
Jan Gregson says
Dear Smith family, we are so so sorry to hear of “Smitty’s” passing. It was back in 1988 when we first met him at the fireplace shop. He had a gift for making you feel as though you were the most important person in the world. He touched so many lives with his kindness. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and your family.
Goose and Jan Gregson
Boyd Darlow says
Thoughts and prayers to the Smitty family. Leland was a wonderful and caring man who I’m proud to have known for 30+ years. Great memories at the shop and the many pheasant hunting trips we took together to Sheridan County every October.
Kurt Jenewein says
My family and myself were fortunate to live by and know Leland on Chaparral Rd in the 1970′ and 80’s; as well his parents, Sharon and kids. They all helped wonderfully when we purchased our fireplaces. My condolences to his family.
Karen Johnston says
Dear Sharon and family. I am so very sorry for your loss. I remember Leland and you at HHS and have wonderful memories from those days. Both of you were always so nice and I remember attending your wedding. Congratulations on 57 years of marriage. That is wonderful. You all have always been in my thoughts over the years. I wish you all best wishes.
Karen Roberts Johnston
Kevin Bartsch says
Shawn, Robyn, Dean and the rest of the Smith/VanHemelryck families- We’re sure sorry to hear of Laland passing. He was always such a nice, calming and quiet presence at sporting events or in the store when I would run into him. Certainly, another icon of the Helena community is lost. You are in our thoughts.
Susan DeBree says
Leland was an outstanding man. He may have been strong but I remember him as being very kind. I was lucky to have been in the same class of “65” with him. Those were the days! Later I bought several stoves at his store. My deepest sympathy to the entire family. You are in my prayers.
John Hilton says
One of the classiest people you could ever meet. Will certainly miss him.
Bob Guffey says
Smitty was a great friend. Among other things, we logged many miles together to play golf in Townsend with our mutual friend Marty Mouat. Even though he usually beat me by eight or nine strokes he always made me feel good by saying he got lucky and I actually played better than him. “Let’s play tomorrow” he’d say. Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow, Smitty. He made you feel better.
Amy Sassano says
Leland was definitely one of the cool dads! What an impact he made on his beautiful wife and family and the Helena Community. I have such great memories of you all growing up!! His legacy carries on with the people who loved him and there is no better legacy to leave! I’m thinking of you all! Amy
John & Cherie Dahl says
Leland was a friend for many years. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Sharon and the rest of the family 🙏🙏🙏
katherine sterling says
i met Leland at Hawthorne all those years ago! i will never forget his mesmerizing even in those young years! i looked for him at our HHS reunions only to find out in his obituary that he graduated the year before us. now i realize he was in my class, but that i was put back into 5th grade at Christmas break. i remember that he was a kind and considerate person so young. i send my deepest & sincere condolences & love to Sharon and family! he’s not gone but just went home!❤️
katherine Sterling says
i meant eyes! his eyes with the clearest blue; i never forgot!
Judi Dahl Foutz says
Leland was one of a kind, always friendly and genuinely nice to everyone. Sending hugs and prayers to Sharon and his family. He was a blessing to all who knew him. Rest in peace Leland! You will be missed.
Sherri Ohs-Mosley says
I’m so sorry! I shopped at Smitty’s several times and was always impressed at their customer service and friend.y environment. Condolences on your great loss!
Dee Hert says
I had the pleasure of meeting the Smith family a couple of times and instantly recognized them as an outstanding family; one and all. The Smith and Van Hemelryck families are a special clan and continue to live by the outstanding values of their elders.
Bless you one and all.
Marty and Gretchen Heller says
Dear Sharon and family
We find it hard to believe that our good friend and neighbor “Smitty” is no longer with us. We all enjoyed so many trimming and mowing conversations. As so many have commented Smitty was just a darn good man.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Love and Blessings
Marty and Gretchen
Laura Voegele says
Sharon, Shawn and Robyn and family,
I am so sorry to learn of Leland’s passing. He was a great man and will be missed. Every pelllet stove and fireplace I have ever had came from Smitty’s Fireplace Shop.
Joanne Gilreath Bryson says
Sharon and family I am so very sorry to hear of Leland’s passing. 😢Keeping you in our prayers!!🙏
Ben Tintinger says
Thank you Smitty for all that you were, a great family man, a good community leader by example, and a great friend to many, including my Dad. You played a big part in who I am today. Carrying hod for my Dad on weekend projects usually meant a stop at Smitty’s. A laugh and a jab from Smitty about the hard work I was about to get into over the weekend always helped me get through it. It also convinced me to find a path to designing how the bricks go together rather than actually putting them together. All these years later, a stop at Smitty’s, visiting with the third and fourth generations, is as gratifying now as it was 40 years ago. It is quite a legacy that you are leaving. I look forward to seeing Shawn and Robyn and the rest of the family the next time I am there. Your Dad is someone to be very proud of.
The Helena Mosby family says
Shawn and Robyn and all of the Smith family sorry for your loss he was a great man and you can tell by all the comments. RIP
Carol Graveley Dagenais says
Dear Sharon, and your dear family,
You are in my thoughts and prayers. It is so hard to say ,”Farewell,” to such a bright spirit!
Bill Huyser says
Rest in peace my dear friend. One of the hardest moments of my life was saying goodbye to Leland on February 7, having a wonderful visit with him on the 6th and 7th. He was the truest and dearest friend I have ever had, we spent many days golfing on courses all over the country and hunting mule deer on a ranch we leased together in eastern Montana. I will miss him so much, but will take comfort in seeing Sharon, Shawn, Robyn and the rest of the wonderful family that Leland was so proud of and loved so much.
Bill Aker says
Leland Smith, the world lost a very awesome man. Sharon, Shawn, Robyn & Dean my condolences to all of you & your families. I enjoyed Smittys great sense of hummor & all of his hunting & a few fishing adventures he would share. RIP Leland.
Nancy Tyanich says
Lee was one in a million
Judy Kranich Senf says
My condolences to Sharon and family. My memories from high school are that he was such a nice guy. And evidently, from all the remarks I’ve read, he stayed a nice guy. Sharon, prayers for you and your family from a member of your extended family!
Sunny Ray sando Mandeville says
Thanks for the HHS memories.
Smiles. Sunny Ray Sando Mandeville
Kenny mac says
I will miss that smile and “hey mac” I heard when ever I ran into Lee
Lots of softball memories that I carry with me. Love to all of the family
Judy/Mike Trevor says
We have loved Smitty,$ Fireplace store and service over many years. Mike mounted fish for Leland and thot highly of him and his family Dean has been out many times to adjust our fireplace and last year Robyn happily replaced our leaky birdbath – no questions asked . This is an exemplary Helena family. Thank you Leland!
David L Van Nice says
Looking thru the obits for the past couple of months and saw that Leland had passed away. Condolences to the Smith family. Many memories related to basketball and softball competing against Smitty. My first memories go back to the YMCA in the early 60s and Leland hitting baseline jumpers from 8 to ten feet from the basket. Of course he continued to hit those shots for 30 or more years playing for HHS and “Smitty’s” in the rocking chair league. Unguarded, Leland would hit 98% of those baseline jumpers with a range out to 15 feet as he matured into an adult player. However, if he was closely guarded that percentage would drop drastically to about 94%. Most important of all, Smitty was a class act in everything he did.