Rosie Smith

Funeral services for Rosie Smith were held on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Gregory, SD, with Pastor Thaniel Certa-Werner officiating.

Music was provided by Geoff Smith, soloist, and the congregation, accompanied by Bette Fogel, pianist. Carolyn Reis was in charge of registration. Casket bearers were Blaine Bolander, Katie Bolander, Ann Fogel, Bryan Nelson, Perry Foltz, and Stan Waterbury. Honorary casket bearers were all Rosie’s former students. Burial was in the Graceland Cemetery in Burke, SD. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Rosie was born June 12, 1933, to Joe and Helen (Vomacka) Pesek. She attended school around Colome and Dallas through the eighth grade, attended Colome High School for two years, and graduated from Gregory High School in 1951. She went on to attend Southern State Teachers College in Springfield, SD.

Rosie married Don Smith on October 9, 1954, at the Gregory Methodist Church. Rosie and Don have lived in the Gregory area their entire married life of 69 years.

Rosie taught in Dallas, Colome, Keya Paha, Gregory, and Hayes SD. Rosie taught for 12 years before retiring to take care of her mother who was injured in a car accident. Rosie also cared for her father, brothers, and mother-in-law in her retirement years.

Rosie never forgot her former students and stayed in touch with many of them. She loved all her former students as well as the neighborhood children. Rosie was famous for giving candy bars or a dollar to the neighborhood kids in exchange for a hug.

Rosie loved to dance and listen to her Czech music. Her favorites were her dad’s button accordion and the Leon Olsen band.

Rosie Julia Pesek Smith passed away on March 27, 2024, in Burke, SD. She was preceded in death by her parents Joe and Helen Pesek; sister Helen; brothers Joseph and Jim Pesek; great-nephew Jeremy Pesek; mother and father-in-law Cliff and Anna Smith; and close friend Clarence Raschke.

She is survived by her husband Don Smith; brother Alvin Pesek; sister-in-lawLinda Smith; special friend Carol Raschke; many nephews and nieces; friends at Buche Foods; as well as neighbors and friends too numerous to list.