Dan L. Smith, 87, of rural Lyons passed away peacefully on Oct 28, 2022, at Oakland Heights Retirement Home in Oakland. Dan was born Aug. 2, 1935, to Orrin and Jennie (Hampton) Smith on the Smith family farm northeast of Craig. After attending Prairie View School, he attended and graduated from Tekamah High School in 1953. In November 1957, Dan enlisted in the United States Army, serving his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood near Rolla, Mo. After basic, Dan served two years of active duty at Fort Lee in Virginia. After returning to Nebraska, Dan served another four years of reserve duty as a Battalion Maintenance Inspector for the #809 Transportation Unit, then was honorably discharged in November 1963. Shortly after Dan’s return to Nebraska from Fort Lee, he met Elaine Penny of rural Decatur at a fireman’s ball in Nov 1959. They were married Jan. 15, 1960, during a blizzard in Decatur. To this union, three children were born: David Wayne (12-22-61), Donette Elaine (10-5-64) and Darol Eugene (5-29-73).
Dan is survived by his children, David (Jamie) Smith of Arlington, Donette Smith of Lyons, and Darol (Tabetha) Smith of Bennington, his five grandsons, Tanner of Indianapolis, Ind., Riley of Greeley, Colo., Keaton, Aidan and Connor all of Bennington, sister, Marjorie Johnson of Fremont, two sisters-in-law, Bonnie Banner of Red Oak, Texas, and Jeanine Penny of Rossville, Kans., plus numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and close friends living across the country.
Preceding Dan in death were his parents, his wife of 62 years Elaine, brother Bill (Iris) Smith, sisters Velma (Philip) Cooper and Opal (Willard) Lofdahl, brothers-in-law Gerald Johnson, David Banner, Elwin (Hazel) Penny and Forrest (Lucille, Erma) Penny, sisters-in-law Norma (John) Banner, Wilma (Earle) Maddox, Lois (Francis) Eriksen, Helen (Harlan) Eriksen, nephews Joel Penny, Phil Penny, Dennis Maddox, Bob Mussack and Bob Henderson, great-nephews Colt Penny and Shane Vogltance, and a great niece Amanda Christ.
After marrying Elaine, Dan lived on a farm west of Craig for close to ten years before moving to a farm five miles east of Lyons on New Years Eve of 1969, where he resided until 2020. Dan and Elaine farmed there until 1984, then Dan began work for the Nebraska State Dept of Roads and was employed there until 2003 when he fully retired. Dan belonged to the Craig Methodist, Divide Center Presbyterian and Lyons Presbyterian churches. Dan was also a member of the Lyons VFW for many years and served on the color guard for numerous events during those years. Dan was always very proud to serve with the color guard.
As a couple, Dan & Elaine were undoubtedly known for their dancing. Along with going anywhere from local dances to regional ballrooms and out-of-state polka festivals, they also instructed an adult education ballroom dance course offered thru Northeast Community College, with classes being conducted in local school gymnasiums. Dan & Elaine closely followed their children’s musical careers with the bands Street Legal, Ivory Star, One Night Stand, Soul Dawg and Silver Moon. Dan was known for his powerful yet sincere handshake, his love of antique tractors (especially the International Farmall F-20) his genuine smile and his calm demeanor. Dan also thoroughly enjoyed attending the countless sports and performing arts events of his grandsons.
Celebration of Life for Dan and Elaine Smith, Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, 4 to 8 p.m., at Pelan Funeral Services in Lyons, NE
Graveside Service with military honors, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, 1 p.m., at Hillcrest Cemetery, Decatur.
Memorials directed to the family for future designation.
