Steven D. Smith, 71, passed away on October 14, 2024, from a sudden illness with his loving wife Lisa by his side at their home in Sedgwick, Kansas.

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 Bachelors degree, graduating in 1975.

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 masters degree at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO. 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, Kansas, 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, Kansas, he and Lisa moved to a home on a small acreage outside Sedgwick, Kansas.

Left to cherish Steve's memory are his wife, Lisa Diane Smith of Sedgwick; a sister Jane and Steve Shriver of Rochester;  numerous nieces and nephews who adored him; 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 in 2019; a nephew, Coach Jeffery Smith Shriver, 2019; father-in-law William "Bill" O'Blenis in 2023; mother-in-law Earline O'Blenis in 2025; and many other friends and extended family.

Graveside services celebrating the life of Steven D. Smith will be held at 10:00 AM, Thursday, May 8, 2025, in the Rochester IOOF Cemetery, Pastor Rod Eiler will officiate.