Mardell "Mardy" Smith

Mardell “Mardy” Smith, age 88, formerly of Rapid City, South Dakota, died Monday, December 30, 2024, at Avera Sister James Care Center in Yankton, South Dakota.

A memorial service will be held at a later date in Yankton, South Dakota and she will be laid to rest in the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, South Dakota. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Yankton.

Mardell “Mardy” Smith was born in Evansville, Minnesota on August 2, 1936. She was the elder daughter of Noyal and Myrtle (Larson) Thorson. Mardy spent her childhood in Forest, Wisconsin and later New Richmond, Wisconsin, before her family moved to the Twin Cities area. After graduating from Hopkins High School in 1954, she earned a degree in secretarial science at Minnesota Business College. She lived in Boston, Massachusetts and Kamuela, Hawaii for several years before returning to Minneapolis. She worked as a human resources administrative assistant for many years before moving to Gettysburg, South Dakota in 1970 with her children Sherri and Mark, and husband John Mitchell who was chief of the FAA Gettysburg Radar Station. A few years later she purchased Cliff’s Jewelry of Gettysburg, converting it to Mardy’s Jewelry and Gifts. She later served as Gettysburg Chamber of Commerce president. The store was her labor of love for many years before moving to Rapid City, South Dakota after John’s passing. It was there that she was united in marriage with Duane “Dewey” Smith, also formerly of Gettysburg, at Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The Black Hills were a special place for Mardy as she and Dewey and operated Keystone Souvenirs for ten years before Mardy opened My Favorite Things gift shop in Hill City, South Dakota. Throughout their time operating the stores, and well into retirement, Mardy and Dewey were very active in the Rapid City Chamber of Commerce Diplomats group. It was there that they made many dear friends and enjoyed participating in its many charitable and social activities. Mardy will be dearly missed and remembered for her resilience, infectious smile, welcoming spirit and devotion to her family. 

She is survived by her children: Sherri Rodgers-Conti (Doug) of Yankton, and Mark Rodgers (Kris) of Columbus, Ohio; grandchildren: Eric Mulhair (Tammy), John Mulhair, Tim Mulhair, Caitlin Blumer, Marielle Rodgers, and Evan Rodgers, eight great-grandchildren; and sister, Marcia Bartels of Hugo, Minnesota. 

Mardy was preceded in death by her parents, Noyal and Myrtle Thorson; husband, John Mitchell; husband, Dewey Smith; and brother-in-law, Larry Bartels.