Obituary for Michael Case-Smith
Michael Ralph Case-Smith passed away peacefully at home on Case Farm, November10th, 2023 after a short but fierce battle with cancer. Born on the 8th of January, 1952 to Carl Smith and Rose Parker Smith, and raised in Montana. He is proceeded in death by his parents, and two sisters Dorothy and Carla. Survived by his wife Sheila Case-Smith, his three children Elizabeth, Jasmine (Zach) Hendricks, and Peter, two Grandchildren Dean and Hannah, his siblings Victor, David, Sidney, and Marianne, and numerous greatly loved nieces and nephews.
Mike graduated from Camp Verde High School in Arizona in 1970, eventually moving to Anacortes in 1971 to live with his sister Marianne. He met his wife to be Sheila Case on Ebey’s Prairie the summer of 1972, while working for the Darst Bulb Company, so beginning his ties to Whidbey Island and Case Farm. Married in 1975 Sheila and Mike moved to Arizona where he graduated from Grand Canyon College in 1976, with a double major in bible studies and psychology. Returning to the farm Mike joined the Case Brothers with custom hay work and selling dressed beef. Sheila’s father had also planted two acres of raspberries to begin a cash crop for them. Over the years they eventually expanded their U-Pick to include 35 acres of mixed berries and fresh vegetables, beginning Case Farm. During this time the couple were founding members of the Coupeville Farmers Market and ran the farm full time. Mike also began grave digging at Maple Leaf Cemetery. Amid it all they began their family with the birth of their daughter Elizabeth in 1984.
Case Farm then added pumpkins to their operation, which would eventually become the major focus as they scaled back the on-farm U-Pick and focused on the farmers market and fall harvest. This pumpkin patch quickly developed into a field trip for local kindergartener classes and preschools, who received a short tour of the farm and animals with Mike and Sheila as Mr. & Mrs. Pumpkin. Mr. Pumpkin was one of the most cherished roles Mike held.
As if things weren’t busy enough, the family again grew with the birth of Jasmine in 1993 and Peter in 1995. Farmers markets on the island and fall harvest activities on farm have been the focus since, becoming a tradition for many island families over the decades. His family shared Mr. Pumpkin with children and families with great joy, getting a laugh from his witty farm tour jokes, silly costuming, and fuzzy orange hair.
Mike was an exemplary community member, farmer, grave digger (digging his last grave Sept. 21st, 2023), husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend! Those close to him share an adoration for his ability to look on the bright side of things, laugh at good (and bad) jokes, enjoy the simple things in life, be an avid Seattle Sounders fan, and all-around handy guy. He shall be greatly missed. Our memories of him are held close, including his love of fireworks, hats, music, crossword puzzles, meeting new people, sharing stories, reading the newspaper, lending a hand, and just living life to the fullest while being a bit weird.
His diagnosis and journey with cancer solidified once again just how much he loved his family and farm. He left us peacefully, with strength, only wishing that he could have loved us all just a little bit longer; and we him- just a little bit longer.
An open house will be held to celebrate his full life on December 9th, 2023 from 1-4pm at Wallin-Stucky Funeral Home in Oak Harbor. Please join us and share your memories of him.
Mike graduated from Camp Verde High School in Arizona in 1970, eventually moving to Anacortes in 1971 to live with his sister Marianne. He met his wife to be Sheila Case on Ebey’s Prairie the summer of 1972, while working for the Darst Bulb Company, so beginning his ties to Whidbey Island and Case Farm. Married in 1975 Sheila and Mike moved to Arizona where he graduated from Grand Canyon College in 1976, with a double major in bible studies and psychology. Returning to the farm Mike joined the Case Brothers with custom hay work and selling dressed beef. Sheila’s father had also planted two acres of raspberries to begin a cash crop for them. Over the years they eventually expanded their U-Pick to include 35 acres of mixed berries and fresh vegetables, beginning Case Farm. During this time the couple were founding members of the Coupeville Farmers Market and ran the farm full time. Mike also began grave digging at Maple Leaf Cemetery. Amid it all they began their family with the birth of their daughter Elizabeth in 1984.
Case Farm then added pumpkins to their operation, which would eventually become the major focus as they scaled back the on-farm U-Pick and focused on the farmers market and fall harvest. This pumpkin patch quickly developed into a field trip for local kindergartener classes and preschools, who received a short tour of the farm and animals with Mike and Sheila as Mr. & Mrs. Pumpkin. Mr. Pumpkin was one of the most cherished roles Mike held.
As if things weren’t busy enough, the family again grew with the birth of Jasmine in 1993 and Peter in 1995. Farmers markets on the island and fall harvest activities on farm have been the focus since, becoming a tradition for many island families over the decades. His family shared Mr. Pumpkin with children and families with great joy, getting a laugh from his witty farm tour jokes, silly costuming, and fuzzy orange hair.
Mike was an exemplary community member, farmer, grave digger (digging his last grave Sept. 21st, 2023), husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend! Those close to him share an adoration for his ability to look on the bright side of things, laugh at good (and bad) jokes, enjoy the simple things in life, be an avid Seattle Sounders fan, and all-around handy guy. He shall be greatly missed. Our memories of him are held close, including his love of fireworks, hats, music, crossword puzzles, meeting new people, sharing stories, reading the newspaper, lending a hand, and just living life to the fullest while being a bit weird.
His diagnosis and journey with cancer solidified once again just how much he loved his family and farm. He left us peacefully, with strength, only wishing that he could have loved us all just a little bit longer; and we him- just a little bit longer.
An open house will be held to celebrate his full life on December 9th, 2023 from 1-4pm at Wallin-Stucky Funeral Home in Oak Harbor. Please join us and share your memories of him.