Emma "Dee" (Brost) Smith

Dee passed away on October 24, 2015, in Buffalo SD, after optimistically living with cancer for two years. The cancer destroyed her body but never her spirit.

She was born to Herman and Mabel Brost on November 9, 1939, in Alliance NE. Shortly after her birth she and her mother joined her father and brother on the family sheep ranch in rural Jones County, SD.

Dee was an outdoor girl. She loved to help feed lambs, nurse the sick ones, drive the sheep, fix fence and work in the hay field. Her love of ranching was life-long.

Dee attended Murdo, SD schools graduating from high school in 1957. Always an honor student, her friendliness and outgoing personality led her to many activities and leadership roles.

In 1961 Dee graduated from the University of South Dakota with honors in mathematics. While at USD her many activities included Math Club and Mortar Board.

Following graduation she taught high school math for two years in Newcastle WY, where she met and married Calvin Smith in June of 1962.

In 1965, Dee and Cal moved to the Brost family cattle ranch in Jones County. They lived there until 1999, when they moved to Harding County SD.

During the Jones County years she was an active participant in the Brost ranching operation and in the ranching operation formed by the Smith family in 1986. The education and activities of her children and grandchildren was always of the utmost importance to her. She served on the Jones County School Board, was a 4H leader and was always active in her church. These interests continued during the years lived in Harding County.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 45 years, Calvin Smith.

She is survived by her three children: Lance (Brenda) Smith of Russell MN, grandchildren Cheyenne (Grady) Olson, Ashton and Morgan Smith; Craig (Denise) Smith of State Center IA, grandchildren Sawyer and Lydia; Julie (Travis) Hurst, grandchildren Dalton, Sadee and Macy all of Buffalo SD. She is also survived by her brother Frank (Martha) Brost of Sioux Falls SD, several special cousins and many other friends and relatives.

In life Dee always gave more than she took.

Visitation will be from 6:00pm-7:00pm, Friday, October 30, 2015 at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish with a Prayer Service starting at 7:00pm.

Funeral services will be at 1:00pm, Saturday, October 31, 2015 at the First Congregational, United Church of Christ in Belle Fourche. Burial will take place at Pine Slope Cemetery.

Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com