Michael Smietana

Celebrating Life

Mike Smietana, born on March 11, 1954, in Baker, Oregon, to Theodore “Ted” Smietana and Corlie “Ann” Smietana, passed away on August 31, 2024, in Baker City, Oregon. Please join us for a Celebration of Mike’s life on October 19, 2024, at 1:00 PM at The Eagles Lodge in Baker City, Oregon. As a lifelong resident of Baker, Mike attended St. Francis Academy through 9th grade before transferring to Baker High School and graduating in 1972. Mike was a fixture in the Baker community, working at his dad’s service stations in his youth and later at Basche Sage Hardware, where he met a beautiful coworker named Kathy, who, on November 8, 1975, became his wife. In 1980 he was hired on a temporary basis for the Union Pacific Railroad. His dedication and hard work turned this temporary role into a lifelong commitment, and he proudly contributed to “Building America” for over 30 years before retiring in 2014. In 1983, Mike and Kathy welcomed their daughter Michelle (Chellie), and five years later, in 1988, their son Joe. As lifelong residents of Baker City, Mike and Kathy enjoyed outdoor adventures throughout NE Oregon and regularly took their family hunting, fishing, and camping. Mike and Kathy were married for 28 years before Kathy passed from breast cancer in 2003. Mike met Tammy in 2004, and they were married on November 24, 2006, in Payette, Idaho. He and Tammy enjoyed camping, fishing, riding their side by side (with a pack of loyal dogs along for the ride), and picking mushrooms and huckleberries, with Mike being the first to admit that Tammy did most of the picking. During these adventures, Mike enjoyed being grandpa to Cameran and teaching her how to camp, fish, and ride the four-wheeler. Mike and Tammy were active members of the Baker Eagles Lodge and members of the winter shuffleboard league. Mike had a big heart and a great sense of humor. He will be missed dearly by all who knew him. Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Ted and Ann, and his late wife, Kathy. Mike is survived by his wife Tammy, daughter Chellie Smietana (Bryan Mulligan) of Wenatchee, Washington, son Joe Smietana (Kayla) of Metolius, Oregon, step-daughter Andrea Kennedy (Josh) of Hermiston, Oregon, granddaughter Cameran Woll of Hermiston, Oregon, sister Kay Sword of Baker City, Brother Ted Smietana of Dallas, Oregon, and many nieces, nephews and good friends. Obituary courtesy of Grays West & Co. Pioneer Chapel.

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