Vonda Doreen Smith, age 70, passed away peacefully in her home in Wessington Springs, SD, on August 9, 2025. A celebration of life will be held at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Wessington Springs, SD, on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at 10 a.m. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Please join the family immediately after the service for light refreshments.
She was born in Jamestown, North Dakota, on April 29, 1955, to Conrad Redlin and Genevieve (Johnson) Wegenast. She cherished her childhood on the family farm in Woodworth, North Dakota. She rose daily at 4 a.m. to milk cows before school and returned to milk them in the afternoons and tend to the fields, fostering a steadfast work ethic that defined her life.
A 1973 graduate of Woodworth Public School, she carried the values of her close-knit community throughout her life. She went on to earn a B.A. in Sociology and Social Work from Jamestown College in 1976, reflecting her lifelong passion and commitment to understandingandserving others. Throughout her career, she supported countless individuals and families through times of crisis with empathy and strength. She retired from the State of South Dakota, Department of Social Services, in 2012 after years of compassionate service.
She was married to the late Jeffrey Lynn Smith in Huron, SD on January 25, 1980, and was his loving wife for twenty years. She was a devoted mother to Jeffrey (Nikki) Smith and Lacy (Andy) Murphy, and stepmother to Lezlie Taylor, Dustin (Joanna) Smith and the late Brook Smith. . She was a cherished grandmother to her ten beloved grandchildren: Hannah, Jeffrey, Lindsey, Harlow, Blair, Aaliyah, Riggs, Dorian, Khloe and Dolanna. Her children and grandchildren were the loves of her life. She was surrounded by many treasured friendships that were a source of great comfort and joy throughout her life.
She is survived by her parents, Conrad Redlin and Genevieve Wegenast, her sisters Brenda (Dale) Sargent and Cary Redlin; and a large extended family of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jeffrey Smith; stepdaughter, Brook Smith; sister, Lori Redlin; uncle, Paul Redlin; cousin, Bridgette Martens; maternal grandparents, Sarah and Harold Johnson; paternal grandparents, Loretta and Eldon Redlin; and in-laws, Dona and Beryle Smith.
Vonda’s compassionate heart and unwavering strength will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew and loved her.
Arrangements are with Nurnberg-Basham Funeral Service.
