Kristin H. Smith

It is with heavy hearts the family of Kristin H. (Berggren) Smith, 68, of Forest Lake, make known that after courageously battling cancer she was called home on January 20, 2026. She was preceded in death by her parents, Merle and Helen Berggren; brother, Bill Berggren and sister, Michele Barton. She is survived by her spouse, Terry Smith; children, Brandon (Bobbi) Smith, Mallory Tinajero, Kaitlin Smith; grandchildren, Rhian, Jack, Lili and Liam; best friend, Judy Peterson; and many in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends. Kris grew up in Forest Lake and lived there most of her life. She graduated from Forest Lake Senior High in 1975. She went on to get a cosmetology license, a degree in dietetics and ultimately finished and dedicated her life to nursing with an RN degree. She started her career with Park Nicollet in 1982 as a receptionist in Rheumatology. She grew with the department through nursing school and stayed there until her retirement in 2022. During that time, she helped the department grow and cultivated a unique work environment that, to many, felt more like family. Along the way she took over managing several other departments including, Pediatric Endocrinology, Bone Density, Infusion and the Specialty Call Center. She truly embodied what it meant to be a leader and cared deeply for the patients and community she helped serve. Kris enjoyed spending time with her family- movie nights, playing games, sitting on the deck in the summer and maintaining many family traditions. No one makes Swedish Meatballs better than she did. In the last few years of her life, she became more active in her faith and Faith Lutheran Church. She enjoyed listening to the sermons and continued to listen online when she could no longer attend services. She was at peace knowing that when it was time she would be called Home to reunite with her parents and siblings and looked forward to seeing the many pets that awaited her. She touched the lives of so many people. She will always be missed dearly and remembered with fondness and love.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at Faith Lutheran Church, 886 North Shore Drive, Forest Lake. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Private interment at Scandinavian Cemetery, Forest Lake.