Keith Smith, age 84, of rural Huron, SD, died Saturday, March 7, 2009, at his home.

His memorial service will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, March 12, at the Congregational United Church of Christ. The family will be present from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Welter Funeral Home.

E. Keith Smith was born on August 15, 1924, to Elmer and Mabel (Myers) Smith on the family farm near Huron in Beadle County. After attending rural school, he graduated from high school at the South Dakota School of Agriculture (1939-1943). Upon his graduation, he returned to the farm to begin his lifelong vocation.

He was united in marriage with Wanda Johnson on June 11, 1944, in the First Congregational Church in Clear Lake, South Dakota. He was a Beadle County resident all of his life living within a 6-mile radius of the Smith family farm the entire time.

Keith was active in many farm and community organizations throughout his life. They included: supervisor of Dearborn Township; 4-H Leader of Dearborn Dandies 4-H Club for 25 years; charter member of the South Dakota Pork Producers Council; helped organize the South Dakota Boar Testing Station at SDSU; served on numerous boards of the Congregational United Church of Christ; member of the South Dakota Cattlemans Association; President of the South Dakota Berkshire Association; showman of his prized Berkshires at the South Dakota State Fair, Sioux Empire Fair and Farm Show, Spencer, Iowa Farm Show; showed at various other livestock shows in the South Dakota area; owner of the Sodak Farm known for those prized Berkshires; member of the Crop Improvement Association; member of the South Dakota Farm Bureau; member of the Ag in the Classroom; and President of the Beadle County Pork Producers Council.

Throughout the years Keith was recognized for his contributions to agriculture and his community; received Honorary membership to the Huron Chapter of the FFA; honored by South Dakota State University and Staters for State as the 1997 Family of the Year; and recognized for Meritorious Service to 4-H in 1974.

He is survived by his wife, Wanda of Huron; and their six children, Sharon and Gary Van Riper of Brookings, South Dakota; Marcine and Jack Elder of Fulda, Minnesota; Wayne and Kathie Smith of Broken Bow, Nebraska; Betty and Mike MacNeil of Miles City, Montana; Dale and Bonnie Smith of Hitchcock, South Dakota; and Judy and Dean Stevens of Huron, South Dakota; fourteen grandchildren, David (Laura) Van Riper, Kristi Van Riper, Erin (Terri) Elder, Ryan (Melissa) Elder, Justin (Traci) Elder, Tyson (Stella) Elder, Jeri Jo (Chris) Casper, Amanda Smith, Christopher Smith, Matthew (Kristy) Smith, Marcus Smith, Garrett Smith, Megan MacNeil, and Brendan MacNeil; ten great grandchildren, Colin Morris, Dillon Morris, Kaden Elder, Reegan Elder, Grayson Elder, Taylor Elder, Alexis Elder, Abbigail Elder, Olivia Elder, and Owen Van Riper; two sisters, Korlas and Don Winter of Huron, South Dakota, and Phyllis Ross of Spearfish, South Dakota; one sister-in-law, Marie Smith of Alexandria, Minnesota; and a host of nieces and nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Mabel Smith; one brother, William V. Smith; one brother-in-law, Ronald Ross; and one nephew, Myron Winter.

Keith died Saturday night at home on the family farm at the age of 84 surrounded by his loved ones.