Althea Smith

Althea Smith, age 94, of Ortonville, MN, passed away on Sunday, July 21, 2024, at Fairway View Neighborhoods.

Memorial services will be held on Monday, August 5, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Big Stone Tabor Church in Big Stone City, SD. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Reverend Melanie Reiners will officiate, and inurnment will be at Ruthton City Cemetery in Ruthton, MN.

Althea Leola (Oerter) Smith was born on August 8, 1929, in Lake Stay Township of Lincoln County, MN, to Martin and Anna (Petersen) Oerter. Growing up in the Lake Stay Township area, Althea later made her home in Clarkfield, Tyler, Tracy, and Arco before settling in Big Stone City in 1974. In 2016, she moved to Ortonville, where she resided until her passing. 

On September 28, 1952, Althea was united in marriage with Lloyd Smith on in Tyler, MN. Together, they were blessed with two children: Linda and Bruce.

Althea’s career as a laboratory technician at the Big Stone Cheese Factory was marked by diligence and expertise. She was a member of New Life Community Baptist Church in Ortonville and an attendee of Tabor Methodist Church services in Big Stone City.

In her leisure time, Althea enjoyed bowling, loved dancing, solved circle word books, and attended her grandchildren’s school events and piano recitals. 

Left to cherish Althea’s memory are her daughter, Linda Hofhenke of Ortonville, MN; son, Bruce (Janet) Smith of Big Stone City, SD; five grandchildren: Brenda Veen, Brian (Deb) Hofhenke, Amy (Dustin) Roggenbuck, Christopher (Rachel) Smith, and Lauren Smith (Joe Ponce); 12 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Delores Oerter and Carol Smith; along with many nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Lloyd in 1981; her parents; sister, Gladys Oerter; brothers: Ervin Oerter and Donald Oerter; brothers-in-law: Doug Smith and Dale Smith; sister-in-law, Maren Smith; and nephew, Michael Oerter.