Linda Iris Smith

Linda Iris (Walker) Smith passed away with family by her side at the Monument Health Hospital in Rapid City, SD, on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, early in the morning, after a brief battle with pneumonia. She was a tough-as-nails ranch lady and she surprised us time and again over the years with what she was able to get through; so as poor as her health has been these last few years it still came as a shock.

Linda was born in Lewellen, Nebraska on November 24, 1944, to Jonathan and Hester (McKune) Walker. She was the youngest of six children. She relocated to South Dakota with her family on St. Patrick’s Day in 1949. They had originally planned to move in January, but the Blizzard of ’49 delayed them several months. They moved to a ranch on Spring Creek near Hermosa, SD. Linda attended elementary at Folsom School and graduated high school in New Underwood in 1961. She married Thomas Smith, of New Underwood, SD, on March 14th, 1965, at the Folsom Church in Folsom, SD. They lived on the Perry Smith ranch, then lived with Junior and Carol Smith for a few months making many often-shared memories. They were able to find work as ranch hands for the neighbor, Agnes Oakland, and remained working for Agnes until 1969. God opened a path for them to own their own ranch when a fortuitous opportunity presented itself and Tom and Linda made a leap of faith, purchasing the Stoke Tibble place near Opal, SD, and began raising cattle. They expanded in 1987 with the purchase of the adjoining Sternad place. They added on again in 1997 with the purchase of a piece of the Tivis place.

Tom and Linda raised three children, Rick, Vicky, and Christi. During these years they went through hardships, trials, and tribulations. Times were tough and money was scarce; blizzards, droughts, cattle markets, and grasshoppers were mountains to overcome. Playing cards with neighbors and family offered a welcome reprieve from the many hardships of the ranch. Tom and Linda set an example for their children that courage, strength, hard work, and tenacity can help you overcome overwhelming obstacles. They were told they overpaid for the ranch and would never make it. Facing these impossible odds, they taught us all that with enough grit and determination you can achieve your dreams.

After 43 years on the ranch, Tom and Linda retired in 2012 and moved to a small place outside of New Underwood, SD. Tom passed away on May 22nd, 2018. After Tom passed away, it was Linda’s biggest wish that she be able to stay in her own home. Her granddaughter, Echo Veit, granted her that wish by moving her family into the basement so she could care for Mom these past few years and for this we are forever grateful. They formed a close bond and no one could have cared for Linda better.

Heaven gained a firecracker of a lady. It honestly wouldn't surprise us a bit if she wasn't already getting people in order up there and gathering herself a few ornery cats - she had a soft spot for neglected cats. She spoiled them rotten and enjoyed their love and their antics. They needed her and she needed them.

Linda never had it easy. She grew up with little. She and Tom scratched out a living until they could pay off the ranch. She cared very little about money and things; she enjoyed the little things in life, like old westerns, playing board games and cards, junk food, grandkids, and naughty cats. When she was younger, she enjoyed sewing, reading, and gardening. She had a passion for genealogy, acquiring a wealth of information on both the Walker and Smith families. When computers first became highly available for personal use, Linda was quick to purchase one. At a time when most women her age were intimidated by computers, Linda embraced and enjoyed the technology. She began utilizing it for ranch bookwork, genealogical research, as well as emailing family and friends. Her knowledge and excitement encouraged other neighbor ladies to begin using computers, and Linda taught them how to navigate the computer and helped them troubleshoot. After retirement, she got an iPad and loved to keep up with family on Facebook and play games. She was so excited to see all the newest great-grandbabies - a whopper of a year for her with five new ones. In total, she and Tom had three children, eleven grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren (and counting!)

We know that she is no longer suffering with pain and an ailing body that so vastly limited her ability to do and enjoy so many things in life. We celebrate her life, the lessons she taught us, and the love she gave.

Linda has joined loved ones that preceded her in death; her husband, Tom, her granddaughter, Reese, her parents Jonathan and Hester Walker, and three of her siblings, Glenn, Mickey, and Joe. She is survived by her sister, Gayle Smith, and her brother, Larry Walker, her children, Rick (Cathy) Smith, Vicky (Cole) Briggs, and Christi (Clay) Marchant, as well as her grandchildren, Randy (Lanie) Smith, their children Rowen, Carsten, Holden, and Maren; Tiffany (Tait) Simonson and their children, William and Baylor; Seth (Bobbi) Smith and their son Renner; Mark Smith, Cinnamon (Jeremy) Mullens and their children Harley, Jake, and Beckett; Echo (Justin) Veit and their children Trell and Tris; Shania Johnston; and Tel, Cord, and Everly Marchant.

Linda was not one for big events and requested that there be no funeral. The family celebrated her life with a quiet graveside ceremony followed by a luncheon.

The Pioneer Review

221 E. Oak Street
Philip, SD 57567
Telephone: (605) 859-2516
E Mail: ads@pioneer-review.com

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