Tomi L. Smikle was born July 26, 1948 in Burke, South Dakota to Charles Bud Smikle and Esther Nachtigal Smikle. He died Oct. 16, 2010 at his home in Herrick.
His childhood was spent on the family ranch north of Herrick. When Tomi began school the family moved into Herrick. He graduated from Burke High School in 1966 and from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 1971. Tomis junior year in college was spent at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu. Upon graduation he took a job with the U.S. Army Audit Agency as an accountant, which took him to Germany for a year. In 1972 he met the love of his life, Patty and married her on Sept. 28, 1974. They returned to run the ranch for the next 35 years, raising three wonderful children, Dawn, Cathy and Jon.
Tomi enjoyed his miniature horses, raising numerous offsprings and travelling with the whole family to different states to show the horses, he also enjoyed rattlesnake hunting, leather work and his beloved Nebraska football. He was known for his many stories he could share for hours.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bud and Esther. Tomi is survived by his wife Patty, daughter Dawn and husband Cory and their children Kayne and Vadyn of Crossville, TN, daughter Cathy of Scottsdale, AZ and son Jon and wife Abby and their son Dale Bud of Herrick.
Memorial services will be held on Wednesday, October 20, 2010 at 10:00 AM at Clausen Funeral Home in Burke. Inurnment will be at a later date.