April 25, 1953 – Oct. 14, 2024
Steven D. Smith, 71, passed away on Oct. 14, 2024, from a sudden illness with his loving wife Lisa by his side at their home in Sedgwick, Kan.
On April 25, 1953, Steven Dale Smith was born in Rochester. He was a treasured son of Herbert Dale and Margaret Merle Wilson Smith. Growing up as the youngest of the four Smith children, he shared his childhood with a brother, Bill, and sisters, Elaine and Jane. Steve graduated with his class from Rochester High School in 1971. During his years at RHS he earned the Future Farmers of America distinction of "Greenhand" his freshman year. Steve was also a stellar member of the storied defensive line for the RHS Zebras football team. At home, he enjoyed trail riding with friends and his horse Tosan Nikka. As a protector and gentle giant, Steve always looked out for the younger kids on the bus, making sure they were not picked on by older riders. He was also a member of the Grace Church.
A gifted academian, continuing his formal education Steve earned scholarships to Princeton University and University of Notre Dame. He chose Notre Dame, where he earned his bachelor's degree, graduating in 1975. Lisa and Steve settled in Colorado, where Steve next earned his master's degree at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colo.
On June 1, 1974, Steve authored the wedding vows to marry the love of his life and best friend, Miss Lisa Diane O'Blenis. They solemnized their vows in an outdoor ceremony at the Geneva Center, Rochester. They have enjoyed over 50 years of life's adventures, making many memories.
Lisa and Steve settled in Colorado, where Steve next earned his master's degree at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colo. They enjoyed hiking the mountain trails and camping during all seasons in the Rocky Mountain National Park. As a Colorado resident Steve served the tourism industry as a manager in hotels and restaurants.
In 1998, the Smith's moved to Hesston, Kan., where Steve was a professor in the areas of speech and interpersonal communications at Hesston College. From 2004 for the next decade, Steve conducted process improvement training to management supervisors of Saudi Aramco in Damman, Saudi Arabia. Retiring in 2014 in Newton, Kan., he and Lisa moved to a home on a small acreage outside Sedgwick, Kan.
Left to cherish Steve's memory are his wife, Lisa Diane Smith, of Sedgwick; sister, Jane and Steve Shriver, of Rochester; numerous nieces and nephews who adored him; mother-in-law, Earline O'Blenis; sister-in-law, Deena and Richard Smith; brother-in-law, Tim and Sandra O'Blenis; and his treasured canine companions, the black Dobermans Mina and Ilsa.
Welcoming Steve to Heaven are his parents Herbert Dale and Margaret Merle Smith, a toddler brother Richard Dale "Dickie" Smith, a brother William D. Smith, a sister Elaine Snyder 2019 and a nephew Coach Jeffery Smith Shriver 2019, father-in-law William "Bill" O'Blenis in 2023 and many other friends and extended family.
Private family graveside services will be held at a later date in the Rochester IOOF Cemetery, where Steve will be laid to rest in the family plot. The Good Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with local arrangements.
Online expressions of sympathy may be made to his family at www.goodfamilyfh.com.
