Daniel M. Smith, 86

Daniel Manselle Smith, 86, of Gettysburg, SD, passed away Sunday, August 13, 2023, at the Avera Oahe Manor, Gettysburg.

A memorial service will be 2 p.m., Friday, August 18, 2023, at Grace Bible Church, Gettysburg, with Pastor Scott Crook presiding. Burial will follow in the Gettysburg Cemetery.

Daniel Manselle Smith was born May 25, 1937, to Don and Helen (Manselle) Smith on a farm in rural Hubbard County, MN. After graduating from Laporte High School, MN, in 1955, he joined the Navy completing his education in radar and electronics schooling. He was stationed in San Diego and Japan during this time and discharged from the Navy in 1959. He then began his career as a contract employee for RCA in Baudette, MN.

He married Dorothy Louise Moorman on December 17, 1960, to this union two children were welcomed, Brian and Kristi. In the early years of marriage, Dan worked as a contract employee for Boeing in Montana working on Minuteman Missiles. He was also employed as an electronics instructor at the Great Lakes Naval Base in North Chicago, IL.

The family then moved to Finland, MN, where he was employed as electronics engineer for the Finland Air Force Base for 13 years. In 1979 the family moved to Gettysburg, SD, at which time Dan became employed by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Hunting, fishing, and calling coyotes were some of the things Dan enjoyed, but his greatest joy was spending his retirement watching his grandchildren grow up. He spent many hours on the bleachers watching ball games or school activities at the Faulkton School. Dan and Dorothy rarely missed an activity for the grandchildren, home or away. Daniel was also a member of Grace Bible Church of Gettysburg, SD.

Dan’s surviving family include his wife of 63 years, Dorothy of Gettysburg, SD; children: Brian Smith of Gettysburg, SD, and Kristi (Jack) Holdren of Faulkton, SD; grandchildren: Braden (Charlotte) Hoefert of Worthington, MN, Tara (Adam) Reuer of Hoven, SD, and Jenna (Michael) Wilson of Mountain Home AFB, ID; great-grandchildren: Myra, Levi, Caleb, Owen and Anna Reuer, and Easton and Parker Wilson; sisters: Pat Nelson of Rice, MN, Mary Kay Stein of Walker, MN, and Nancy Tryon of Piedmont, SD; and a brother, Steve (Jody) Smith of Laporte, MN.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Don and Helen Smith; in-laws: Clifford and Hazel Moorman; and one sister, Gerri Mead.

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Daniel’s arrangements. (www.familyfuneralhome.net)