Harlan (Harley) Duane Smizer Sr. was born on May 10, 1934 on Mother's Day in Burke, South Dakota, the only son of Emma and Fred Smizer and he died February 4, 2013.  Harley was proud of the fact that he attended school in Herrick and began farming at an early age.



Harley met his wife, Dorothy Ulrich, while attending school at the Herrick Elementary School. At age 20 he sold a bag of alfalfa seed from his Dad to buy her a wedding ring.  The couple married on Dorothy's birthday (12-06-54) and in 1960 moved to their current home on a 640 acre farm in Herrick.  Harley farmed and ranched his entire life.  Known as a respected rancher, Harley celebrated the lives of countless calves, pigs, sheep, and goats.  Harley found great joy in the annual harvest.  He felt deep pride in his livestock, crops, and the garden's produce. However, Harley took the greatest pride and reaped the greatest reward from the family he and Dorothy nurtured together. Harley loved his seat at the United Methodist Church in Herrick, but he especially loved the people he shared those pews with. Harley touched the lives of countless people in the community.  Wherever Harley went you could always count on him to provide a humorous one liner and make everyone laugh.  The community of Herrick and Burke had everything Harley needed to be happy except a casino.



Grateful for having shared his life are wife Dorothy of 58 years and their six children: Harlan Jr. (Vicki) Smizer of Rapid City, SD; Sue (Mark) Galvin of Dakota Dunes, SD; Sandy (Rick) Teigen of Rapid City, SD; Anita (Tim) Hakin of Elmhurst, IL; Katie (Jessy) Biggins of Gregory, SD; twelve grandchildren: Matt (Camille), Morgan, Chad, Chris (Malori), Alex, Dexter, Haley, Jefferson, Clayton, Sally, David, and Gracie; two great-grandchildren: Tobyn and Madelynn;  and four sisters: Ann Pinger of Omaha, NE; Mary Jane Fedde of Boise, ID; Bonnie Mask of Denver, CO and Linda Moerike of Burke, SD.



Harlan was preceded in death by his son, David; his parents, Fred and Emma Smizer; and his sisters, Doris and Jean.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 7, 2013 at 10:30 AM at the United Methodist Church in Burke. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery, Burke. There will be a prayer service on Wednesday at 7:00 PM at the church. Visitation will be one hour prior to both services at the church.