UPHAM – Merlyn Jason “Mick” Smette, 85, Minot, formerly of Upham, died Sunday, October 18, 2026, at a Minot nursing home, surrounded by his family. 

He was born November 22, 1940, in Rugby, the son of Melvin and Ada (Brandt) Smette.  He attended school in Upham. He moved to Albany, OR, where he worked as a sheet metal worker.  His hobby was racing D-stock hydro boats and belonged to the Albany Boat Club.  He raced in Oregon and Washington. 

Merlyn married Karen Wahl on June 21, 1969, in Reno, NV.  During their marriage, they had four children.  In 1971, they moved back to Upham where they purchased their first bar called Smette’s Bar.  After selling the bar in 1975, Mick worked for Otto Construction.  In 1980, he worked out in the oil field in Sidney, MT, and in 1986, moved his family back to Upham where they owned numerous bars.  

After Karen and Mick divorced in 1990, he worked for Orrin Holen Construction.  He later went to work for Farden Construction until he retired.  After retirement, he was a parts runner for Welstad Farms for a couple of years.  He moved to Bottineau in 2022, and into the Good Samaritan nursing home in Bottineau in February of 2024.  He then moved to Trinity Homes in Minot in July of 2024. 

Mick lived his life to the fullest each day as there was no tomorrow.  He loved to entertain whether it was playing guitar, piano, and singing.  He cherished his time with his grandkids and great-grandkids.  He also enjoyed going to the casino or just driving around visiting family and friends. 

Family:  Children, Tina Raap, Mohall, Tonya (Matt Johnson) Naumann, Mohall, and Tyler (Jessie) Smette, Upham; six grandchildren, Shana (Sheldon Thompson) Volk, Berwick, Shelby Volk, Towner, Cheyenne Undlin, Minot, Levi Lenton, Norwich, and Haylee and Hannah Smette, Upham; four great-grandchildren, Cooper and Bennett Gotschall, and Quade and Maclin Undlin; sister, Marva Deane Smith, Minot; and also a number of nieces and nephews. 

Mick was preceded in death by:  His parents; son, Mark Smette; sisters, Shirley and Eugene O’Brien Jr., Mona Jane “Mitzi” and Harvey Teske; brother, Donald and Florence “Flossy” Smette; and brother-in-law, Curtis Smith. 

Funeral:  11:00 a.m., Thursday, October 29, 2026, at New Hope Lutheran Church, Upham.

Burial:  Bloomfield Cemetery, rural Upham. 

Friends may sign the online guestbook at brosefuneralhome.com. 

(Brose Funeral Home, Mohall)