The funeral service for Gerald Smith, age 83, of Gregory, South Dakota was held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at Prairie View Gospel Barn with Pastor Keith Cline officiating and Gregory and Kelsey Smith delivering the eulogy. Music was two congregational hymns with special music provided by Kelsey, Dana, Julia, Miranda, and Holden. Janet Knight and Emily Beck were in charge of registration, and flower attendants were Amy Rominger, Teresa Reimers, and Denise Smith. Casket bearers were Joshua Smith, Jacob Smith, Levi Smith, Lucas Smith, Holden Smith, Garrett Hernandez, Blake Wockenfuss, and Matt Fritz. Honorary casket bearers were, Jim Smith, Tom Smith, Frank Beck, Charlie Knight, Jim Osnes, Christine May, Robbie Hlavka, Brett Hlavka, Kelly Hlavka, Merrill McFayden, Harold Winter, Ronnie Sinclair, and Tom Prouty.
Interment was at the IOOF Cemetery in Gregory. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Gerald Allen Smith was born January 31, 1943, to Allen and Dell (Hull) Smith on a farm north of Gregory, South Dakota. Growing up as the oldest of five children, he enjoyed hunting and fishing with his dad, brothers, and cousins and developed a love of farming while working with his dad. Gerald graduated from Gregory High School in 1961 and was very active in FFA.
Gerald married his high school sweetheart, Diane Jean Beck, on December 14, 1959, at the Winner Baptist Church. Gerald and Diane built a life together around their love for each other and their strong faith in God. They were blessed with five children — Gregory Allen (‘60), Emmett Jay (E.J.) (‘61), Glenn Anthony (‘63), Geoffrey Adam (‘66), and Jenifer Jean (‘73). They lost their precious E.J. to a heart condition only three months after he was born.
Both Gerald and Diane grew up on farms, and they built their lives together around farming. For the first 15 years, he worked as a hired hand for local farmers. In the spring of 1974, they bought their own 160acre farm, where they have lived ever since. After moving to their own farm and modifying the barn, they started their dairy operation and milked for 33 years.
As a young boy, Gerald accepted Jesus as his personal Savior at the Lucas Baptist Church. He and Diane were baptized at the Winner Baptist Church while attending the Dixon Baptist Church. Gerald served as a deacon at the Berean Church for several decades and was involved in numerous building projects over those years. Recently, he was a member of Prairie View Bible Church Gerald’s pride and joy came from his children and, even more importantly, his grandchildren. “Great Grandpa” and “Grandpa Great” were two of his most prized titles.
Gerald and Diane enjoyed traveling, whether for AMPI dairy cooperative meetings or to visit the many places Greg and Sandy were stationed during their military service. They also organized memorable family vacations to Branson, Missouri, and Fort Robinson, Nebraska Surrounded by his family, Gerald passed away on July 12, 2026, at the Avera Gregory Healthcare Center at the age of 83.
Gerald is survived by his wife, Diane, of 66½ years; sons Greg (Sandy) of Burke, Glenn (Claudia) of Whiting, Iowa; Geoff (Gail) of Gregory; and daughter Jenifer (Rod) Hoeft of Gregory; 12 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren and one more little Smith due in August; brothers Tom (Vicki) Smith of Dallas, Oregon; and Jim Smith of Dallas, Oregon; brothers-in-law Frank Beck of Mills, Nebraska, Dave (Emily) Beck of Mills, Ken (Kathy) Beck of Dallas, Brad (Barb) Beck of Winner, and Doug (Sandy) Beck of Colome; sisters-in-law Janet (Charlie) Knight of Papillion, Nebraska, Patricia (Monte) Hopkins of Central City, Nebraska, and Bev Janak of Winner; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, Allen and Dell Smith; his in-laws, Emmett and Shirley Beck; son E.J.; sister Kathleen (Larry) Meirose; brother Daniel Smith; sister-in-law Linda Beck; and brother-inlaw Brent Janak.
