Richard "Dick" Nelson Smith

1934 - 2025

Richard "Dick" Nelson Smith, 91, of Manchester, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at Regional Medical Center in Manchester. Dick was the son of Floyd and Elizabeth (Adams) Smith, and brother to Chester, Darold and Betty, and was born on October 4, 1934, in New Hampton. The family lived on a farm in New Hampton until moving to a farm west of Oran. Dick graduated from Oran High School in 1952 and attended Loras College in Dubuque. He suffered a broken leg playing baseball (shortstop) for Loras. During his long convalescence, he met and married Shirley Alice Weston, from Stanley, on December 31, 1955.

In 1956, Dick and Shirley moved to Waverly, and Dick continued his career with Fareway Stores Inc. The company's rapid growth provided advancement and relocation opportunities for Dick and his family over the next 44 years with managerial positions in Independence, Estherville, and eventually Manchester in 1981. He then retired after Shirley's passing in 1999, at the age 65.

Dick was active in the community as a member of the Catholic church, Knights of Columbus, Jaycees, Lions Club, Kiwanis Club, Chamber of Commerce and actively engaged with local charities. Dick's true passion was sports. After high school he continued his love of sports, playing baseball and basketball until age 40. He then became an avid golfer and enjoyed playing with family and competing with his friends in local golf tournaments. He won the 2000 Pin Oak Senior Sole Survivor tournament, and also achieved two holes-in-one. Dick was a lifelong Chicago Cubs, Bears and Iowa Hawkeye fan. He enjoyed the music of the Statler Brothers, Bee Gees and Gene Watson.

Dick quietly lived his values, beliefs and love of people by example and through acts of kindness and love. He loved his family, friends, neighbors and so many of his fellow employees spread throughout the land he loved – Iowa.

Survivors include his children, David (Jodie) Smith, Darren (Sabrina) Smith, and Stephanie (Michael) Reineck. At Dick's passing, he had eight grandchildren, Joseph "Joey" Smith, Shanna (Andy) Snitker, Madisen Smith (Ben Biggins), Samantha Smith, Jacob (Meghan) Smith, Hannah (Cameron) Homolka, Thomas Reineck, and Matthew Reineck, and two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Betty Schweitzer, and brother, Darold (Linda) Smith, and several nieces and nephews.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife of 44 years, Shirley (Weston) Smith; and his two daughters, Sherry Smith and Constance "Connie" (Dale) Brandt; brother, Chester (Betty) Smith; and brother-in-law, Max Schweitzer.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be livestreamed at http://blessedtrinitycluster.com.

Online condolences may be sent to www.leonard-mullerfh.com.

Mass of Christian Burial: 11 a.m., Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Manchester, Iowa, with Reverend Gabriel Anderson presiding.

Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m., Monday, October 20, 2025, at Leonard-Muller Funeral Home in Manchester, Iowa. Friends may also call from 10 to 10:45 a.m., Tuesday, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Manchester, Iowa.

Interment: St. Mary Catholic Cemetery – Manchester, Iowa.