Kenneth “Ken” Newton Smith, 84, of Bellevue, Nebraska, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019, at the Eastern Nebraska Veterans Home in Bellevue.

Ken was born on Aug. 30, 1935, to Orrie and Glenna Cassie Smith in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Ken was raised and schooled in Lodi, Wisconsin, and graduated from Lodi High School. After graduating from high school, Kenneth was an over the road truck driver. He enlisted in U.S. Marine Corps and served his country for three years. While serving his country, Ken was a prisoner of war during the Korean Conflict. Ken lived in Seattle, Washington, and retired in 2000. He later lived in Pahrump, Nevada, and Plattsmouth, Nebraska, until 2016, when he moved to the Eastern Nebraska Veterans Home in Bellevue.

He is survived by his wife, Rosetta Smith; daughter, Lucinda “Lucie” Oquist; two grandchildren, Alysa and Eric Oquist all of Plattsmouth; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Orrie and Glenna Smith; two sisters, LaVita Schaluica and Marletta Smith; and son-in-law, Jon Quist.

A private family memorial service will be held at a later date. His Final Resting Place will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Austin, Minnesota. Memorials are requested to the family; a suitable charity will be chosen at a later date. Services are entrusted to Roby Funeral Home, 346 Ave. A, Plattsmouth, NE 68048, (402) 296-3123, robyfuneralhome.com.