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Arlys Smith Obituary
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Visitation will be 5:00pm-7:00pm, Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, 1111 South Main Street.
Arlys Ann Koester was born August 11, 1932, in Mansfield, SD, to Henry and Emma (Fuhrman) Koester. She graduated from Northville High School in Northville, SD.
Arlys married Darel Smith, her high school sweetheart and love of her life, October 7, 1950, in Mansfield, SD, where they lived. Four children were born to this union: Carol, Steve, Curtis, and Julie. She was a stay-at-home mom. In the spring of 2015, they moved to Piedmont, SD, to live with their daughter Carol. Darel passed away July 5, 2015, and she continued to live in Piedmont until September 1, 2023, when she moved to Rapid City, SD, where she lived since.
Arlys was a member of the Piedmont Methodist Church. Darel and Arlys were avid fans of the Northwestern High School Girls' volleyball and basketball and were dearly loved by all involved.
"Arlys was the sweetest, most genuine-hearted lady with a bright smile and a contagious laugh. Her care for people was remarkable and the kind-hearted person she showed was amazing. She was one-of-a-kind and has impacted our lives in ways to show love, continue our journey in faith, and be kind to one another."
Grateful for having shared Arlys' life are daughter Julie (Gary) Townsend and son Curtis Smith (Faith Eagle); grandchildren: Lynette Puhlman, Vaughn Smith, Bryan Nash, Kevin Smith, Mark Nash, Russell Townsend, and Douglas Townsend, twenty-two great-grandchildren and 5 great great-grandchildren.
Preceding Arlys in death are husband Darel Smith; parents Henry and Emma Koester; daughter Carol (Don) McKenzie; son Steven Smith; great grandchild Kyler Smith; brother Theodore (Ted) Koester; sister-in-law Lois Koester; and nephew Wayne Koester.
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