Shelly Smit

Shelly Smit, age 66, of Watertown, SD, formerly Lennox, SD, passed away on Saturday, November 19, 2022, at Avera McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls, from complications of recently diagnosed cancer. Shelly Sue Smit was born on January 30, 1956, the daughter of Blaine and Sharon (Walter) Smit. She grew up on a farm two miles south of Lennox. She attended, #69 Burma rural school, Lennox Public Schools, then graduating from Lennox High School in 1974. She went on to earn an associates degree in accounting from Springfield College, graduating in 1976. Shelly had been united in marriage to Marc Fielder in October of 1977. One daughter, Marissa was born to this union. She later married Ted Swanson in May of 1980. Two children, Sheldon and Cassandra were born to this union. Shelly worked in customer service/sales positions in Yankton, Lennox, Sioux Falls and Watertown, having worked as the C-store manager at Cenex in Lennox for an extended time. She enjoyed interacting with people. Earlier, she had worked with her father in the typewriter repair business, Smit Office Repair, eventually taking over operations. Shelly grew up in the Presbyterian faith, and had attended the Reformed churches in Yankton and Lennox, a well as Faith Presbyterian in Lennox. She had served as Girl Scout Leader. She was a deeply loved mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She enjoyed the outdoors and loved to garden. Shelly was excellent seamstress, cook and baker who also enjoyed reading, scrap booking and crafting. She had a love for animals, and had great affection for her many pets, especially her dog, Shadow. Shelly was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents: Folkert and Ella Smit and Robert and Ella Walter. Grateful for having shared her life are her children: Marissa (JJ) Orr, Sioux Falls, Sheldon (Genevieve) Swanson, Canton and Cassie (Chris) Nelson, Watertown; grandchildren: Justin Bentley, Sam Becker, Lyndsey Kleinschmit, Madison Orr, Heidi Swanson and Cooper Nelson; great-grandson, Dawson Bentley; siblings: Sharla (Tracy) West, Lennox, Robert (Karla) Smit, Lennox and Susan (Dennis Rolph) Smit, Sioux Falls; cousin, Patricia (Jim) Koerner, Lennox and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. A Celebration of life, memorial visitation, with the family present, will be held from 2 to 4 p.m.. with a public sharing time at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, November 26, 2022 at the Lennox American Legion Hall, Lennox, SD

Shelly Smit

January 30, 1956 - November 19, 2022

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