Vernon D. Smith | 1963 - 2024
Obituaries-Mobridge / Posted Feb 15, 2024 | 4:37 PM / 205 views
VERNON D. SMITH
Vernon D. Smith, 61, of Gettysburg, passed away Monday, February 12, 2024, at his home surrounded by
family.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Sunday, February 18, 2024, at the Gettysburg School Gym, with Pastor Jeff
Adel officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior.
Everyone is welcome to wear Battler gear, an old uniform, or dress comfortably.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at First United Methodist Church, Brookings,
with Pastor Pete Grassow presiding. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery, White, SD.
Vernon Duane Smith was born January 24, 1963, in Hendricks, Minnesota, the youngest of nine children born
to Norman and Katie (Bruns) Smith. Vernon grew up on a farm near White, SD, and he received his primary
education in Deubrook, graduating with the class of 1981. Vern went on to attend Dakota State College in
Madison, SD, graduating in 1986 with degrees in accounting and business education.
In 1987, Vernon moved to Gettysburg, SD where he started his career as a teacher for the Gettysburg School
System. He served many years as an assistant football coach, junior high boys basketball coach, and assistant
track coach. He later became the athletic director, and the head coach for both football and track. Vern was in
his 37 th year of teaching and coaching when he was diagnosed with cancer which led to his retirement in
September of 2023.
In July of 1990, Vernon was united in marriage to Nancy Simmons.
Vernon has dedicated his life to his family and his school and students. Any way he was able to help them
whether in a classroom, on a basketball court, track, or football field, you could always count on Vern. He also
was an exceptional community member. He volunteered where he was needed. Vern loved to give of his time
and keep himself busy. He was an active member of the SDHSCA, SDFBCA, SDCCTFCA, GTA, and
SDIAAA.
Faith was an important part of Vern’s life as well. He was a member of the United Methodist Church where he
gave of his time and many talents.
Being outdoors was a love of Vern’s. He enjoyed countless hours driving the countryside scouting for deer and
hunting, watching sports – especially watching his children participate, and socializing. No matter where he
went, there was someone he knew. He even learned how to use a sewing machine, learning to mend football
uniforms just because it interested him.
Vern’s life will forever be cherished by his wife, Nancy; children: Katrina of Gettysburg, Lucas of White, and
Aaron of Gettysburg; brother, Steven (Judy) Smith, White; sisters: Norma Krogman, Elkton, SD, Shirley
Leisinger, Lebanon, OR, Arlene (Rick) Robbins, Wheatland, WY, and Nancy Johnson, Abilene, TX; sisters-in-
law: Carol Smith, Elkton, SD, Rose Simmons, Sandy, UT, Cheryl (Doug) Beste, Brookings, SD, Linda
Simmons Patrick, Aurora, SD, and Jan Simmons, Wayne, NE; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents: Norman and Katie Smith; brothers: Virgil, Calvin, and Arven Smith;
brothers-in-law: Don Krogman, Alvin Leisinger, Kermith Johnson, and Neil Simmons; sister-in-law, Betty
Smith; nephew, Brad Smith, and mother and father-in-law: Loren and Lois (Aaberg) Simmons.
Memorials in honor of Vern may be directed to Keep Hope Local, 127 Hilltop Dr, Gettysburg, SD 57442 or to
the Vern Smith Memorial Fund, which will be established at First Interstate Bank, 111 N. East St, Gettysburg,
SD 57442.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Vern’s arrangements. (www.familyfuneralhome.net)