Carol Kay Smythe, 81 of Sturgis, SD, passed away Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at Monument Health in Rapid City. Her funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM, Monday, November 17, 2025, at Kinkade Funeral Chapel, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Bear Butte Cemetery.

Carol was born December 8, 1943, in Viborg, SD to Clarence and Tillie (Knutson) Hermanson; she joined one brother Eugene. She grew up on the family farm west of Centerville and graduated from Centerville High School in 1961. In December 1961, she married Leroy Voegeli, and they had two children, Greg and Kim. After their divorce in 1969 she married John Smythe, and they had one son, Marty. They divorced in 1984.

As a teenager, Carol worked as a waitress at local cafes including The Koffee Kup, Buckstead's, and Truck Towne. After her marriage, she cooked at the Good Samaritan Center in Centerville, beginning her lifelong love of feeding everyone. After moves to Sioux Falls and Denver, Carol and John moved to Sturgis in 1974. While working at the Sale Barn Café and cleaning houses, Carol met many longtime friends. In 1989, she began working in the dietary department at the Sturgis Hospital. Eventually she became the head cook and was known for her ability to make hospital food taste good. Although she was not ready, she retired due to her health in 2006.

Growing up on a farm, Carol learned how to care for animals but never had a pet in the house. As an adult, though, she rarely lived in a house without a dog or two in it. Over the years she spoiled Ginger, Toni, Peppy, Lucky, Edy, and Shilo among others. Her nurturing spirit extended beyond her pets and into her flower beds, where she tended roses, peonies, and countless other blooms with pride.

Carol's favorite holiday was Christmas, and she embraced it with wholehearted joy. Her birthday served as the deadline for having the tree up as well as the perfect night for touring town to "ooh" and "ahh" over Christmas lights. Each year she pulled out the rosette and krumkake irons and her grandma's lefse rolling pin to make her Norwegian specialties, along with all kinds of cookies and candies. She delivered plates of treats to neighbors, decorated every room, and piled gifts under the tree to be torn open on Christmas morning. She took her role as "Christmas Carol" seriously.

While these activities brought her great joy, Carol's greatest blessing came in 1990 when she earned the cherished title of grandma. As her family grew, so did the names she answered to—Momma Mice, Grandma Uptown, Bob, Grandma Cookie. Each affectionate nickname reflects the laughter, memories, and love she shared with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Carol passed as she would have wanted—surrounded by family. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, and many special cousins and friends.

Happy to have shared Carol's life are her children Greg (Gayle) Voegeli, Kim (Rob) Smiley, and Marty Smythe; grandchildren Jami (Jason) Klingenberg, Kristin Smiley, Blake (Sami) Smiley, Olaf (Macy) Funell, and Gus Funell; four great-grandchildren, sister-in-law Norma Hermanson, two nephews, and two nieces.

A memorial has been established at the following:

Crisis Intervention Shelter Service | PO Box 842 | Sturgis, SD 57785