Esther Florence Smikle was born April 26, 1924 in Fairfax, South Dakota, the only child of Otto and Emma (Dietz) Nachtigal and she died October 8, 2008 at the Community Memorial Hospital in Burke, South Dakota. When Esther was 2 years old, they moved from their ranch on Scalp Creek, east of Fairfax, to the Nachtigal homestead on the south edge of Fairfax. She graduated from Fairfax High School in 1942 and attended business college in Mitchell, SD. She worked in Omaha for about 1 year and then in Santa Rosa, CA. Esther married Charles ('Bud') Smikle on October 7, 1945 at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Fairfax. They returned to Richmond, CA where Bud was stationed with the U.S. Navy until his discharge in December 1946 when they returned to Fairfax. In March 1947 they moved to the Gunvordahl ranch north of Herrick, SD. They built a basement home in Herrick and moved there in 1952. They had one son, Tomi, who now operates the ranch with his son, Jon.Esther enjoyed gardening, playing cards and the Detroit Tigers!Esther was preceded in death by her parents and husband Bud. She is survived by her son Tomi and his wife Patty, 3 grandchildren; Dawn and her husband Cory Bosanko of Crossville, TN, Cathy of Phoenix, AZ, and Jon and his fianc'e Abby of Herrick, SD, 1 great grandson, Kayne Bosanko of Crossville, TN and many friends and relatives. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at Clausen Funeral Home in Burke. Burial will be in the Highland Cemetery, Fairfax, SD. Visitation will be Monday from 4 to 8 PM, with a 7:00 PM prayer service, at the funeral home.