Joseph John Smith, of rural Valley Springs, SD, passed away on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at the VA Hospital Hospice Cottage in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 90.  A Goal he spoke of achieving, frequently, was living longer than his beloved mother, Grace.

Celebration of Life Visitation with the family present to greet friends will be held from 2:00-4:00 pm on Sunday, August 3, 2025 at Miller Funeral Home Downtown, 507 S. Main Ave., Sioux Falls, SD.

Private Family Graveside Service will be at South Beaver Valley Cemetery, rural Brandon, SD.

Joseph John Smith, son of Paul and Grace (Maher) Smith, was born the 4th of 10 children on December 28, 1934 in Aurora, SD.  The family moved to Sioux Falls, SD where he attended Cathedral High School with his lifelong buddies, Vince Donelan and Con Baker.  He graduated in 1953, then began working at John Morrell and Co. in 1955, a job he loved.  As he often shared with his grandkids, he got a "free ride" to the school of John Morrell.

Joe joined the Army in 1957 and got out in 1962.  His Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) was 31 K which was field communications.  This was a period of his life that he was extremely proud of.

Joe was united in marriage with Marilee Miller at St. Joseph Cathedral on February 15, 1958.  They were blessed with three children, Stacey, Becky, and Timothy.

Joe lived life large, leaving a lasting impression on everyone he met.  He was a husband, father, grandfather and most recently a great grandfather.  He took these responsibilities VERY seriously. He made sure his family was job number 1. He attended every sporting event his kids and grandkids were involved in, often traveling for hours.  Joe also enjoyed his time coaching Jr. High football and baseball for Valley Springs, SD.

Joe was passionate about music, motorcycles, antique cars and the NY Yankees.  When he finally saw the Yankees play in New York City he said, "seeing the Yankees play and the birth of my children are the 4 greatest days of my life".

When Joe perfected his "strum" on the guitar he never put it down.  He played at annual events including Pioneer Days at the Beaver Creek Nature Center and A Day in the Country at what is now The Mary Jo Wegner arboretum.  He brought his guitar along to many parties, just in case, and was often found alongside his Brother in Law and partner in crime Ron Nieber who played harmonica.  When he wasn't supplying the music, he would grab Marilee to spontaneously dance the Jitterbug.

If Joe didn't answer the door bell, you could always find him playing guitar and building a fire down by the creek, his favorite place in the world.

Joe sold his first motorcycle, a 1952 Triumph, to purchase Marilee's wedding ring, a story we LOVED hearing about.  In the early '70's he bought his second motorcycle and the excitement was reignited. His pride and joy were his '78 Suzuki GS1000e, which took him and Marilee on annual rides to Sturgis, or vacations in the Ozarks.

Joes' motto was, "We aren't here for a long time, we are here for a good time".  He practiced what he preached.  For 30 years he bowled on the John Morrell Thursday night bowling league throwing his legendary "back-up ball."

For 20 years Joe played left field on numerous fast pitch softball teams.

Joe was an avid fisherman and hunter, always eager to take along his kids, nephews and grandkids teaching them the time-honored tradition of beer drinking and fibbing the fish count. Joe and Marilee spent many hours on the Missouri River fishing Walleye, and camping in their latest Motorhome.

Always by his side was his wife of 67 years, Marilee.  (She finally got him to behave towards the end!)  Also grateful for having shared his life are their three children, Stacey (Tony) Bachman, Brandon, SD, Becky (Sean) Mick, Nashville, TN, Tim (Becky) Smith, Sioux Falls, SD; six grandchildren and three great grandchildren, Joe (Carly) Chambers and their son, George, Tara Chambers, Michaella (Toran) Tillotson and their son, Roman, Grayson Mick, Madysne (Brett) Hoffman and their son, Tate, Jack Smith (Becca, fiancé); a sister, Catherine Miller; two brothers-in-law, Ronald Nieber and David Kramer; a sister-in-law, Juanita Smith, all of Sioux Falls, SD; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Grace Smith; siblings and brothers-in-law, Joan (Don) Johnson, Shirlee (Bob) MacTaggart, Celeste Berdahl, Mary Alice Nieber, Timothy Smith, Philip Smith, Patrick Smith, Shay Kramer, Bill Miller.