Frederick “Fred” Jesse Smith, 78 of Flandreau, passed away on Wednesday, November 21, 2018 at Dougherty Hospice House from ALS; also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Fred was born in Flandreau on June 25, 1940 to Jesse (Bert) and Vera Smith. He received his early education in Flandreau and joined the U.S. Army in 1958. He served for five years, 4.5 of which were spent in Germany as a Postal Specialist. Fred was honorably discharged in July of 1963 and later enrolled at Dakota State University where he pursued a BS degree in English. Fred and Donna met at DSU in Madison and were married in 1969. Following the birth of their eldest son, J.C., in 1970, Fred graduated with his MS from South Dakota State University where he was hired to teach speech and serve as Director of Forensics. The family moved to Eagle Butte, SD where Fred taught English and Speech for a total of five years, as well as one year spent instructing English in the Military High School in the Panama Canal Zone. Fred later accepted a position in the English Department at Flandreau Indian School in 1977. Donna and Fred welcomed their youngest son, Michael, one year later in 1978. Fred taught Language Arts (English, Speech and Literature) at FIS for a total of 20 years before his retirement in 1997. Upon his retirement, Fred served as an Equal Rights Officer for FEMA for 18 years, completing a total of 67 deployments in Puerto Rico and the contiguous US.
Fred was active in his and the surrounding communities. His commitments included being a member of Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic Church; a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus; he served Moody County as an E.M.T. and was instrumental in establishing the Volunteer program at the Flandreau Avera Hospital called Patient Partner. He served six years on the Flandreau School Board; four years on the DSU Alumni Board and was selected Distinguished Alumnus for 2017. Fred was a long-term member of the FHS Athletic Boosters; FHS & FIS Education Boosters; South Dakota Literary Council; State Modernization Board; in the 11 School Special Education Co-Op; and Honorary Cancer Survivor of the Moody County American Cancer Society (Cancer Survivor for 20 years).
Survivors include his wife: Donna, Flandreau; two sons: J.C. (Traci) and Michael (Andrea); one brother: Richard (LeeAnn); six grandchildren: Janine, Hannah, Benjamin, Kiesli, Luka, and Isley; three great grandchildren: Stella, Chiara, and Rafael; his sister-in-law: Kathy Holter (David), two brothers-in-law: Warren Frick (Judy) and Lanny Frick (Kathy Marie) plus numerous nieces and nephews.
Fred was preceded in death by his parents, one infant sister, mother-in-law Dorothy Frick/Ekern, and father-in-law LaVerne Frick.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, November 26, 2018 at Ss. Simon and Jude Catholic Church. Visitation will be 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Sunday at Skroch Funeral Chapel with a 3:00 p.m. scripture service.
Memorials to: ALS Association MN/ND/SD Chapter, 333 N Washington Ave, Suite 105, Minneapolis, MN 55401. www.skrochfc.com
