Robert Smidt

Robert Smidt, 89, of Lennox, SD, passed away on February 19, 2024, at Legends on Lake Lorraine, Sioux Falls, SD, under hospice care. Robert Lowell Smidt was born on a farm east of Lennox, SD, on August 17, 1934, to George and Doris (Gerber) Smidt. He grew up attending Miller Rural School District #76 and later graduated from Lennox High School in 1952 where he was voted Homecoming Marshall. Initially, Robert worked in construction before starting his career at John Morrell & Co. that spanned 35 years. In 1954, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, and after basic training at Fort Riley, Kansas, he worked as a commander of a tank retriever at Fort Knox, Kentucky. After exchanging a series of daily love letters, Robert returned home on leave to Lennox to marry the love of his life and partner of nearly 70 years, Carol Hammerstrom, on April 20, 1954. After his honorable discharge from the Army in 1956, the couple made their home in Sioux Falls, with Robert returning to work at Morrells. After two years in Sioux Falls, they purchased their first farm on Klondike road, northeast of Lennox. In addition to farming, Robert was an active and faithful member of the Second Reformed Church in Lennox. He loved to farm, travel with his family, attend his children and grandchildren's activities, hunt jackrabbits, and cheer for the Chicago Bears. He and Carol enjoyed the Turner County Fair and Lennox Municipal Band concerts. Above all else, Robert was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who deeply loved his family. Besides his parents, Robert was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Ann Hammerstrom. Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Carol; children: Jill (Doyle) Christensen of Parker, Karla (Bob) Smit of Lennox, and Brad (Teresa) Smidt of Lennox; 7 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren; sister, Janet (Duane) Schneiderman, Platte and a host of other relatives and friends. Services will begin at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 24 at Second Reformed Church, Lennox, with burial to follow in the Lennox Cemetery. Visitation, with the family present, also at Second Reformed Church will be 5 to 7 p.m. Friday.

Robert Smidt

August 17, 1934 - February 19, 2024

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