Norma Mae (Lewis) Smith

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Norma Mae Smith, 97, passed away peacefully October 27, 2016 at her home in Dell Rapids.

Funeral services will begin at 11:00 AM Tuesday, November 1, 2016 at the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids.

Visitation with the family present will be from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Monday, October 31 at Minnehaha Funeral Home in Dell Rapids.

Norma was born December 17, 1918 to Joe and Josie (Erickson) Lewis in Brookings, SD. She graduated from Brookings High School and earned a degree in printing and journalism from South Dakota State College. She married Virgil Miles Smith June 13, 1941 at Redwood Falls, MN. Norma worked as an editor on newspapers in Brookings, Leola, SD and Santa Monica, CA. While Virgil served in the U.S. Army during World War II, Norma cared for their two young sons in Brookings. After the war, they moved to Sioux Falls where Norma was a homemaker for their growing family.

In 1958 the family moved to Dell Rapids when the couple purchased the Dell Rapids Tribune. Norma served as editor and writer for it and four other weekly newspapers as they were added to the family business, Smith Publishing Company, Inc. They later expanded with the purchase of Moberly’s Print Shop in Sioux Falls. Norma earned numerous awards from the National Federation of Press Women and the South Dakota Press Association. She retired in 1978 when the couple sold the newspapers.

Norma enjoyed golf, travel, music and painting. She was an accomplished artist and sang in a variety of musical groups over the years. She was a member of the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids, PEO Chapter AD, Dell Rapids Lions Club and American Legion Auxiliary. An avid reader, Norma was pleased to serve on the local library board. She was a National Republican Committee Chairwoman and a delegate to the 1968 National Republican Convention in Miami, FL.

Norma was an eye and tissue donor through Dakota Lions Sight & Health.

Grateful for having shared her life are her daughter-in-law, Ginger Smith; Ginger’s son, Matthew and daughter, Jennifer; son, Gary (Alberta) Smith and their son, Christopher; daughter, Susan (Marlowe) Hovey and their daughter, Kate; son, Jeffrey (Kate Moe) Smith and their sons, Joshua and Noah; daughter, Robin Bechtold and her daughter, Kimberly and sons, Dustin and Taylor; daughter, Kimberly (Dallis) Poppen and their sons, George, Dietrich, Charlie and Sam; 12 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Darwin Lewis; sister, Ruth Davenport; niece, Christie Davenport; nephew, David Divine; husband, Virgil in 1996; son, Greg in 2009 and special friend, Bob Lower in 2009.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Vicki Kennedy and Brooke Bunkers, Norma’s loving caregivers.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the South Dakota Children’s Home Society.