Dean Elvin Smith

It is with sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Dean Elvin Smith, our dear father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and uncle, Dean, passed away on January 6, 2019 at the age of 97 surrounded by his family.

Dean was born in Shelley, Idaho on November 3, 1921 to Francis Thomas and Myrtle Anderson Smith. He was the 9th child in a family of 13 and was a twin to Donna Smith Nielson. Dean spent his childhood years in Shelley, Idaho. He graduated from Shelley High School and attended a year at Utah State University in Logan, Utah before serving a mission in Northern California for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

After Dean’s mission, he served in the United States Navy during WWII from January of 1944 to May of 1946 and was honorably discharged on May 22, 1946.

Dean’s occupation was farming and raised potatoes, grain, hay and cattle. He loved working the soil on his farm and enjoyed spending his time in the fresh air.

Dean married Zola L. Glenn in the Idaho Falls Temple on November 21, 1951. They have six children and raised a nephew.

An active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Dean served a second mission with his wife, Zola, in the Idaho Falls Temple visitors center. He held numerous callings during his life including home teacher, various teaching callings, bishop, and temple worker in the Idaho Falls temple.

Dean loved his family. He knew the birthdates of his children and grandchildren. Family reunions, dinners, baby blessings, baptisms, ordinations, graduations, marriages, sports events, and anywhere his children were participating or celebrating brought him much happiness.

Dean Smith was a man of integrity and faith. He was an example and hero to family and friends. He is held in high esteem by those he served and worked with throughout his life. He had a remarkable memory and enjoyed citing poems and sharing stories with family and friends. He had a great sense of humor which was enjoyed by those he knew and loved. Dean will most certainly be missed by all those who knew and loved him.

Dean is survived by his daughters, Marlene (Kelly) Cook of Mapleton, Utah, Patricia (David Wayne) Lovell of Redlands, California, Connie (Mark) Stanley of Holladay, Utah, Nancy (Joel) Hintze of St. George, Utah, Lisa (Robert) Hunter of Highland, Utah, son, Dean Randall (Heidi Vernon) Smith of Layton, Utah, and nephew Reuben John (Donna Martin) Parker of Emmett, Idaho, 28 grandchildren and 38 great grandchildren, sisters, Donna Nielson of Shelley, Idaho, Maxine Ransom of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Vanda Kendall of Springville, Utah, Dorothy (Richard) Crandall of Provo, Utah.

He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, Vaun, Vola, Ramona (as infants), Robert Lee Smith, Lucille Jensen, Ila Backlund, Kenneth Smith, and Mildred Schwabedissen.

The family would like to thank the staff at Spring Gardens Assisted Living and hospice staff that helped Dean in his final days.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Saturday, January 12, 2019 at the Shelley 3rd and 5th Ward Chapel (513 S Park). The family will meet with friends Friday evening from 7:00 till 9:00 PM at Nalder Funeral Home (110 West Oak) in Shelley and Saturday morning from 9:30 AM till 10:40 AM at the church. Burial will be in the Shelley Hillcrest Cemetery with military rites by David B. Bleak Post 93 and the U.S. Navy.