On December 13, 2022, Sharon Kay Smith passed away peacefully, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was surrounded by loved ones who will continue to honor her legacy by living their lives to the fullest and caring for others.

She was born to Lloyd and Hazel Cool, in Kearney, Nebraska, on June 19, 1937. At a very young age, Sharon’s parents moved she and her sister, Reta and brother, Wayne, to Harrisburg, Oregon. There, she met and married the love of her life, Kendall Smith, and they remained married for 65 years – separated only by Kendall’s death in 2020.

Sharon’s life was first and foremost filled with deep love for family. Sharon is survived by, daughter Kristi Smith, daughter Trisha Moya (husband Gabe and grandchildren Seth and Elise), son Kasey Smith (wife Dawn Smith and grandchildren Kai and Kalyssa) and son Kerry Smith (wife Kathy Smith and grandson Kody). Their son, Bryan Smith, passed away in 1998. Sharon loved creating delicious meals for her family and showering family and friends with her hospitality. It was such a blessing to be around the table with her, sharing stories and laughing together.

Sharon was no stranger to hard work. She “ran the books” for the family farm in Oregon and was side-by-side with Kendall running the distillery during the mint harvest season. When her children were young, she had a six year-old (Kristi), a one year-old (Trisha), and twin newborns (Kasey and Kerry). Rumor has it, they went through washing machines pretty quickly for a while there until everyone was out of cloth diapers!

Sharon was a serious pinochle player, as well! In Oregon, she would host pinochle parties in their home with multiple tables of friends and family playing toward the championship table. Later, in South Dakota, it would often be girls against boys (Sharon and Trisha vs. Kendall and Gabe). So many fun hours of loving competition and joy-filled laughter.

After moving to South Dakota in 1981, Sharon worked as a legal secretary in the Kneip Building for many years– putting her strong administrative skills to good use. In addition, she and Kendall were long-time members of the Assembly of God church in town and modeled for many others what it looks like to be a faithful follower of the Lord. She worked in the nursery for many years and helped to decorate the church for Christmas every year (definitely one of her superpowers!)

Sharon’s deep faith and deep love of family and friends are such an inspiration to anyone who knew her. Words cannot express the impact her love has had on each of us who were blessed enough to be a part of her life.

 

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