Eugene Martin Smith was born January 31, 1937 at Burke, South Dakota to Elmer and Mary (Cerny) Smith. At home, he joined his sister, Lila. In 1941 a brother, Alvin, was born. He passed away during infancy, leaving them a family of four.

Gene was baptized and confirmed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Burke. On September 24, 1959, he was united in marriage to Avis Hutchison. Five children would be born to this union.

Gene served two years in the US Army, some of that time in Korea. He was honorably discharged in 1962 and his family returned to Burke to join his parents in operating the family farm. After his father suffered a heart attack, Gene and Avis operated the farm together, along with their children, as they became old enough to help. Gene retired from farming in 2005, entrusting its care to his sons, Ken and Brad.

Gene loved farming, especially along side his wife and children. He taught, by example, respect for the land, the value of hard work, satisfaction in a job well done and a desire to help others.

He enjoyed teaching his children, nieces and nephews how to hunt and fish. He served on many boards, including the Burke School Board and Union Township Board. He was active at Sacred Heart Catholic Church as a Lector and member of the Knights of Columbus. He took pleasure in playing cards with family and friends, and traveling, especially with his "adopted" brother and his wife, Jack and Leona Hampton of Omaha, Nebraska.

Gene passed away Sunday, March 15, 2015 at the Community Memorial Hospital in Burke, South Dakota at the age of 78 years.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Mary; his brother, Alvin; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Leonard and Arlene Hutchison; his brother-in-law, Dick Redberg; and his "adopted" brother, Jack Hampton.

Gene is survived by his wife Avis and their five children: Angie and husband Allen Teel of Stickney, SD; Steven and wife Carol of Groton, SD; Kenneth and wife Wanda of Burke, SD; Bradley of Burke, SD; and Andrea and husband Allen Steffen of Burke, SD; thirteen grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, and his sister, Lila Redberg and family of Coon Rapids, MN.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 20, 2015 at 10:30 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Burke. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery, Burke. There will be a rosary on Thursday at 7:30 PM at the church. Visitation will be one hour prior to both services at the Church.