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Iola Mae Smith, 93, of Highmore, passed away Thursday, May 3, 2012 at the Highmore Health in Highmore, SD.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at the United Methodist Church, Highmore with Pastor Kori Lehrkamp officiating. Burial followed at the Highmore Cemetery.  Visitation was held 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday, May 7, 2012 with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service, all at the church.

Iola was born October 20, 1918 to Charles and Altha (Forrell) Crane on the family farm in Lyman County, South Dakota.  She attended country school through the eighth grade and graduated in 1936 from Chamberlain High School.  On October 3, 1936, she married Glenn A. Smith in Alexandria, South Dakota.  To this union, six children were born. 

Following their marriage, they entered into a partnership with Roscoe Feltman in the Shell gas station at Chamberlain.  In 1938, Iola and Glenn went into farming.  In October of 1951, they moved to the Herman Geppert Ranch, north of Ft. Thompson.  During this time, Iola served as the postal assistant at the Ft. Thompson and Stephan Mission post office.  Iola and Glenn retired in December of 1988, and moved into Highmore. 

Iola enjoyed playing cards, dancing, was an excellent patcher, going on drives and visits with Glenn and having coffee with friends.  She especially enjoyed teaching her grandchildren how to play “Kings Corner” and spending time with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.  Iola’s family was her pride and joy.

She is survived by one daughter, Janice Bairey of Nevada, Iowa; four sons: Vernell "Mick" (Peggy) Smith of Highmore, Lowell “Skeet” Smith of Holabird, Rodney (Joyce) Smith of Chester and Lonnie (Laurie) Smith of Highmore; one sister, Ruby Beyer of Butte, MT; 27 grandchildren; 39 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Glenn; son, Duane; son-in-law, Miles Bairey; two daughters-in-law, Carol Dittman Smith and Carol Herman Smith; three sisters; one brother; four grandchildren; and one great grandson.

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Iola’s arrangements. 

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