Loss of Kenny Smith will leave void in Wauneta, Chase County

Few people get to die the way they’d choose.
Those who knew Kenny Smith can agree that the Wauneta cowboy died doing what he loved.
Smith was killed June 28 as he was loading brood mares onto a trailer and was pinned against a fence.
Wauneta EMS transported Smith to Chase County Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead. He was 78 years old.
Smith grew up in Wauneta and lived there with his wife, Barb. Like him, Smith’s daughters Maressa and Jodi graduated from Wauneta High School.
Smith owned and operated Hanging Dipper Horse Training.
Kelli Chrisman said she compared training styles with Smith and he was always learning.
“I called him one of my four-hour friends. You don’t visit Kenny for any less time than that,” she added.
Smith was a past member of the Wauneta and Wauneta-Palisade Schools Board, as well the Chase County Fair Board.
He was well known on the rodeo circuit. He helped with 4-H and the Southwest Nebraska High School Rodeo.
    “This man gave and gave and gave......and gave. While he was on Earth he definitely put in the work to be a man of service. Mention his name and nearly each person will have a good story to share,” Chrisman said.
    “If you ever needed a pick me up, just make eye contact with Kenny. Worked every time,” she added.
    Services for Smith were Monday with interment in Riverside Cemetery. See his full obituary on page 4.