A Life Well Played – In Loving Memory of Donna Marie Smart (2/12/32-7/27/26)

Life has a way of dealing each of us a unique hand. Every great game has an opening hand, and Donna Marie Morgan's story began on February 12, 1932, when she was born to Dan and Sylvia Morgan in Mitchell, South Dakota. She grew up alongside her brother, John "Jack" Morgan, learning the values that would guide her through every hand life dealt her—faith, resilience, kindness, and a heart that always made room for one more at the table. On September 12, 1950, she was dealt the ace of hearts when she married the love of her life, George "Wally" Smart. Together they built a life that wasn't measured by wealth or possessions, but by a home full of love, laughter, shared meals, and generations gathered around the kitchen table—where stories were told, memories were made, and a deck of cards was never far from reach.

If life were a card game, Wally was always the partner Donna wanted sitting across the table. Their marriage was a true love story—one built not on grand gestures, but on unwavering commitment, quiet sacrifices, shared laughter, and choosing each other every single day. Through every season of life, they played as a team, celebrating the good hands, weathering the difficult ones, and facing every challenge side by side. Their greatest victories weren't found in the cards they held, but in the life they built together over more than seven decades—a home filled with faith, unconditional love, and a family that became their greatest legacy. No matter what life dealt them, Donna and Wally never stopped betting on each other, proving that the strongest hand is one played with love.

Their greatest hand was the one they created together through their five children: Mary Lou, Kenny, Ronnie, Renee, and Suzie. Each child became another card in the beautiful legacy she and Wally built together—a hand filled with unconditional love, unwavering support, and countless lessons that will continue to be passed from generation to generation.

As the game of life continued, the Queen of Spades welcomed more players to her table. Donna was blessed with ten beloved grandchildren, each bringing their own unique suit, personality, and laughter to the family. But the hand she treasured most continued to grow, as she was also blessed with 21 great-grandchildren, with two more precious little ones on the way. Her greatest joy wasn't winning a game of Pinochle, 500 Rummy, or Pitch—it was watching her family grow with each passing year. Whether gathered around her table, enjoying her homemade brownies, filling her home with laughter and joyful chaos, or celebrating life's biggest moments together, every child was another card added to the winning hand she held so close to her heart. To each of them, she offered the same gifts—her time, her encouragement, her wisdom, and a love that never had limits.

And if there was one card that perfectly represented Donna, it was the Queen of Spades. Strong, wise, and impossible to overlook, she had a way of commanding the table—not because she demanded attention, but because her presence naturally drew everyone in. She was confident, quick-witted, and knew exactly when to play her hand with a smirk on her face. For Donna, she knew cards were never really about winning or losing, they were about togetherness. They were about conversations that lasted longer than the game, teasing each other over missed plays, celebrating lucky hands, and making memories that would be talked about for years. Around her table, everyone had a seat, everyone belonged, and everyone left feeling loved. To those who knew her best, the Queen of Spades will never just be another card in the deck. It will always be Grandma.

Donna understood something that many spend a lifetime trying to learn—that the richest life isn't built by collecting the best cards, but by sharing them. She taught her family the value of hard work, loyalty, kindness, forgiveness, and showing up for the people you love, time and time again.

She had another gift that no one could ever duplicate—her coffee cake. Somehow it always tasted better in her kitchen, surrounded by family, conversation, and the comforting feeling that you were exactly where you belonged. She loved opening her doors, filling every chair, every room, and every corner with the beautiful chaos (only if you cleaned up afterwards) that only comes when generations of family are together.

On July 27th, 2026, she played her last hand at age 94, while it feels as though one of the most important players has stepped away from the table, the game she started continues. Every shuffle of the cards, every family gathering, every laugh shared over soda, every brownie or coffee cake eaten and every story retold carries a little piece of her forward.

Although our hearts ache because we can no longer see her smile or hear her laughter, we find comfort knowing that Donna played her hand beautifully. She loved deeply, gave generously, and left this world far richer than she found it.
As we imagine Heaven today, it's easy to picture Donna being welcomed home—finding Wally once again, pulling up a chair, shuffling a deck of cards, and smiling as she waits for the rest of us to join the table someday.

Until then, we will continue to play the hand she helped build, carrying her love, her traditions, and her legacy with us.

Well played, Mom and Grandma.

Grateful for sharing her life are her five children, Mary Lou (Dean Baker) Greenway, Kenny (Donna Rae) Smart, Ronnie (Lindy) Smart, Renee (Ken) Keiser, and Suzie (Rod) Bunkers; ten grandchildren, Jamie LaPine, Jarrod (Heather) Smart, Briar Greenway, Jena (Adam) Smith, Afton (Pat) Artz, Jace (Lacey) Bunkers, Kylie (Trevor) Scott, Kara (Alex) West, Daulton (Mallory) Keiser; Aaron Magers; twenty one great grandchildren, Luke Smart, Evelyn Smart, Gavyn Smith, Hazel Bunkers, Adylee Artz, Cadyn Smith, Etta Bunkers, Avery Artz, Dylan Smith, Ellie Artz, Kit Bunkers, Emmy Artz, Summit West, Liam Scott, Noa Bunkers, Ivy Artz, Sylvia West, Malia Scott, Sullivan West, Ramsey Keiser, Zoey Artz and two more on the way; and a host of additional relatives and friends.

Donna was preceded in death by the love of her life, Wally Smart, parents (Dan and Sylvia Morgan), brother (John "Jack" Morgan), son-in-law (Ron Greenway), and grandchild (Lyn Christianson).

The family is deeply grateful for the compassionate care provided by Tammy and Lilly Strong as well as the staff at Ava's House and for the devoted support of our mom, grandma and great grandma.

To view the livestream of the service, CLICK HERE

A Funeral Service will take place at 11:00am on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at the Miller Funeral Home Westside Chapel (6200 W 41st St) in Sioux Falls, SD. A visitation, with family present to greet friends, will begin one hour before the service. Private burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery in Mitchell, SD in September (Wally and Donna's 76th wedding anniverary).