Bernard Dee Smith
Born: Friday, August 8, 1930
Died: Sunday, October 18, 2009
Hartford, South Dakota
Age: 79 years, 2 months, 10 days

FUNERAL SERVICE
1:30 PM Thursday, October 22, 2009
Central Valley Community Church in Hartford, SD
Reverend Chris Gorman, Officiating

INTERMENT
Hartford Cemetery, Hartford, South Dakota

PALLBEARERS
Richard Brower ~ Rich Andresen ~ Merlyn Grave
Roland VanDerWerf ~ Dan Sterner ~ Kerry Hoefert

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
Bob Lueth ~ Bill Jacobs ~ Bill Hoagen
Jim Cooper ~ Cecil Stockwell ~ Dale Devish


Hartford- Bernard Dee Smith, age 79, died on Sunday October 18, 2009 at his home in Hartford.

Funeral service will begin at 1:30 PM on Thursday, October 22 at Central Valley Community Church in Hartford, with burial to follow in the Hartford Cemetery. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the funeral at the church.

Bernard Dee Smith was born on August 8, 1930 to William Harrison Smith and Viola Mae (Bristol) Smith in Pilger, Nebraska. He moved with his family to a homestead southwest of Winner, South Dakota, where he attended country school and then Winner High School. Bernard was united in marriage with Patricia Richter on June 19, 1955 at Rosebud Valley Baptist Church in Wood. SD.

Barney was a paratrooper in the United States Army with the 11th Airborne Division serving from February 9, 1951 through January 21, 1954. He was a faithful member of Central Valley Community Church being baptized in Wall Lake on August 8, 2004 at the age of 74. He was also a member of the Hartford American Legion, 11th Airborne Division Association “L” Company 503rd AIR, and Hartford Senior Citizens serving as trustee for several years. He served the City of Hartford as Council Person from 1997 through 2001 of which he was very proud.

Barney was a truck driver for 41 years for various companies, 17 of those years with Milwaukee Motor Transportation. He ended his career in 1995 retiring from The Old Home Bakery. Barney was a faithful and dear friend keeping in regular contact with old Army buddies, co-workers, and childhood friends. He was loyal and true— once a friend, always a friend.

Barney enjoyed spending time with his family, and he especially took pleasure in his 15 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He loved visiting with the people at Senior Citizens and playing cards, hunting, fishing, and watching the crops grow.

“I don’t mind going to heaven, I’m sure it is a nice place; but it is sure nice down here too” said Barney. He hoped heaven would be like Montana, except the fish would jump up on his hook.

His greatest concern was for those he left behind. His wife and love of his life of 54 years, Pat, and their children: Denice Kapp, Hampton, IA (who cared for him tenderly though his illness); Anna (Joshua) Waldner, Hartford, SD (his loving nurse and gentle caregiver); Howard (Wendy) Smith, Winner, SD (his best friend and hunting buddy); Dawn Smith, Sioux Falls, SD (who shared his sense of humor); Scott (Layna) Smith, Omaha, NE, (his pride and joy); and Andrea King, Hartford, SD (the twinkle in his eye). His grandchildren, Kolette Kapp, Analee Kapp, Billy, AmyLee Johnson, Susan Johnson, Daniel Waldner, Christina Waldner, Sara Waldner, Zachary Smith, Alizabeth Smith, Micah Moss, Kylie Smith, Carson Smith, Kerin King Jr and Wyatt Riley King; great-grandchildren, MyKayla Kapp, Jakyb Kapp, Jaliyah Kapp, Austin Johnson-Green, Werner Isaac Fajardo, and Nolan Dee Smith; four sisters, Coral (William) Parker, Vivian DeVera, Joan McGowen, and Diane (David) Hill; his brothers, Neil (Joan) Smith and Duane (Rosalee) Smith.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Drexel H. Smith and Deon Hart Smith; and one sister, Veryl Mae Burton.