MICHAEL W. SMITHBERG, 69 of Keystone, passed away Sunday, March 11, 2018, at Great Plains Health in North Platte.
Michael was born November 19, 1948, in Omaha, Nebraska to Kenneth and Mabel Smithberg. He attended Papillion High School before marrying Kathy Tex on November 25, 1967.
Mike installed hardwood flooring for a while before he took a job as a mechanic at H & H Chevrolet in Omaha. In 1978, the couple moved to Keystone. He eventually started Mike's Seamless Gutters, where he specialized in both siding and gutters.
He met Deb Florom in 2002 and the couple resided in Keystone. They spent many hours just driving around the countryside enjoying the nature and wildlife.
Mike enjoyed working on older cars especially his Chevy trucks and his Cadillacs. He was an avid outdoorsman. He loved to fish and hunt. He spent countless hours fishing the local waters. He had a knack for knowing all of the right places, and his living room wall told the stories of all the master anglers that he'd caught over the years. Mike had a great love for his dogs. You would often find him driving around with a dog in the truck sitting beside him. Mike had a gruff but caring attitude. He was a simple man with a big heart. He will be greatly missed by his friends and family.
Mike was extremely proud of his 4 daughters, Lisa Waterman, Dawn (JD) Peterson of Ogallala, Lacey (Charles) McAvoy of Fallbrook, CA, Heather (Ryan) Roath of Phoenix, AZ. He had 11 grandkids, Kelli (Travis) Demilt, Seth and Laine Waterman, Tineale, Anthony, Cayden, and Cayla Peterson, CJ and McKinley McAvoy, Chase and Parker Roath. He also had 2 great-grandchildren, Josi and Cayzan Demilt. Other survivors include sisters, Loretta Garrison of CA, Sandee Kritenbrink of Urbandale, IA, Carol Wilcox of Yutan, Barb Palmer of CA; brother, Bill Palmer of Omaha; special friend, Debbie Florom; along with many other relatives and friends.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, Bill Palmer; 2 brothers, Clyde Smithberg and Dennis Palmer.
A memorial has been established in Mike's memory for later designation. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com. Cards and flowers for the family can be sent to Dawn Peterson at 303 Highway 30 West, Ogallala, NE 69153.
A celebration of Mike's life will be held upstairs of Swedes in Paxton, NE starting at 5:00pm on Friday, March 30th.
Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is assisting the Smithberg Family.