Maurice Cleveland Smith

Maurice Cleveland Smith, 85, of Fargo, died Sunday, October 3, 2004.

Maurice was born to Frank and Mabel Morris Smith in Kensal, North Dakota on May 17, 1919. He married Solange A. Brux in Morlanwelz, Belgium on May 13, 1953. He was a World War II veteran, having served with the Army Corps of Engineers in the European Theater. He met his wife in her hometown of Morlanwelz, Belgium in February of 1945 during his military service. They subsequently married eight years later after the end of The War. He worked at the Fargo Post Office for 35 years, retiring in 1979. He had been a resident of Fargo since 1945.

Throughout his entire life he affectionately was known as ?Bus?. He enjoyed woodworking and traveling along with exercising daily. The last three years of his life he lived during the winter months in Irvine, California with his wife and son. During the summer months he resided at his home in Fargo with his wife. Last year in May 2003 he and his wife celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary back in Europe renewing their vows at the city hall and church in Morlanwelz, Belgium.

Those who shared in his life are his wife of 51 _ years; one daughter, Joyce Larry Humphrey of Vancouver, WA; one son, Ronald Maurice Smith, M.D. of Irvine, CA; three grandchildren, Bryan Humphrey, Derek Humphrey, and Kyle Humphrey all of Vancouver, WA; and one half-sister, Marie Groskreutz of Layton, UT.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Eleanor Hewitt, and his first born infant son, Rodney Frank Smith at age two.

Maurice Bus died at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach, CA after an unexpected two week illness with heart disease and renal failure. Prior to his acute illness he shared with his wife an extremely loving, active and vibrant life.

A prayer service will be held at O?Connor Laguna Hills Mortuary prior to cremation on Friday, October 8 at 9 AM. His wishes were that after the death of his beloved wife their two remains be commingled as one with burial and internment at Riverside Cemetery of Fargo, ND.

Arrangements by : O?Connor Laguna Hills Mortuary, 25301 Alicia Parkway Laguna Hills, CA 92653 949 581-4300 .