Funeral services for Hilda Smith, 103, of Mobridge will be at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, July 6, 2016 at the United Congregational Church in Mobridge with Pastor Kraft officiating. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will be Tuesday at 4 PM with a prayer service at 7:30 PM at Kesling Funeral Home. Hilda passed away Friday, July 1, 2016 at the Golden Living Center in Mobridge.

Hilda Smith was born to Martin and Lena Van Beek Rypkema on July 29, 1912 in Fresno County, CA. Her parents had previously lived in the Westfield, ND area, but had moved to California to help operate a farm with Lena's parents , Tillie Van Beek Looyenga and Bob Looyenga. They returned to North Dakota a few years later and resumed farming there. Later the family moved to Linton, ND where her father partnered in the operation of a drugstore, and eventually a road construction business. Their last move as a family was to Ridgeview, SD in 1925 to farm in that area. During that period Lena became ill and died. Hilda, age 17 was the oldest in a family of seven children ranging in ages from 17 to twins age 6 at the time of her Mother's death.

Hilda was married to Arthur Smith October 8, 1930. They met in the Ridgeview area where his family had also recently moved. Their first home was in the Gettysburg area where they farmed briefly. In 1936 they bought a garage and filling station business in LaPlant, SD. When World War II made getting products for the garage impossible to obtain they turned to ranching and building dams. They were involved in a partnership on the Horseshoe Ranch in 1944 and later purchased the Scott Ranch near Mobridge in 1946.

Hilda was known and loved for her gracious hospitality as well as for her love of her family, extended family, church and community. She was an excellent cook, seamstress, and knitter. She made many needlepoint and embroidered items that were shared with her family and others. Hilda belonged to the Arts and Travels study club and Bide-a-Wee whist club. Playing card games with her family and friends was an enjoyable pastime. Hilda played league golf for many years. Hilda was a member of the United Congregational Church for over 60 years. She was active in many Women's Fellowship activities, taught Sunday school and served on the Youth Council. She was the Hospital Auxiliary president in 1963 and 1965. The hospital mortgage was not yet paid so there were many fund raising projects during that period. She received the JC Outstanding Woman Award in 1964. Hilda was a charter member of the Klein Museum in 1975 and later rejoined the board serving as vice-president and then as secretary. She was also a charter member of the Mobridge Regional Hospital Foundation. She was the state president of the Stockgrowers Women's Auxiliary (Cowbelles) in 1960. Traveling both in the United States and abroad, often with other stockgrowers, was a highlight for both Hilda and Art.

Grateful for sharing her life are daughter, Frances (Ervin) Dupper , Mobridge, SD, their children Sally (Peter) Wharton, Rapid City, SD, Ross (Dorothy) Dupper, Marietta, GA and Lois (Jay) Niedert, Madison, SD; daughter, Charlotte Greenhalge, Rocklin, CA her children Tamara (Rick) Henry, Rocklin, CA, Russ (Carla) Greenhalge, Wildomar, CA and Denise Brown, Antelope, CA; son Claude (Annette) Smith, Spearfish, SD;children, Craig (Kathleen) Smith, Mesa, AZ, Laurie (David) Daley, Cypress, CA, and Kristin (Satoshi) Shitara, Chichibu-gun, Saitama-ken, Japan; son Darrel (Francie) Smith, Mobridge, SD; children Shawn (Ivetta) Sydney, Australia, Sherry Smith, Corinna (Marcus) Ross, and Amber (Mark) Haskew, Lynchburg, Va; daughter Margaret (Jerry) Pier, Pierre, SD; their children Jon (Stephanie) Pier and Jac (Susanna) Pier, Albuquerque, NM. as well as thirty great grandchildren, one great great grandchild, and one sister, Bertha Scott, Cleveland OH.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Art who died in 1981, older sister Bertha, brothers Eddie, Lloyd, Milo, Arlo, and Harold Rypkema
Memorials can be directed to the Klein Museum or Mobridge Rodeo Foundation