Dennis Jay Smith

Dennis Smith, 69, of Akron, Iowa, passed away suddenly on Sunday, September 27, 2026 at Sanford Vermillion Hospital.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 2, 2026 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Akron. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Akron. Visitation with the family present will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Akron. There will be a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. with a Knights of Columbus Rosary immediately following on Thursday at the funeral home.

Expressions of sympathy may be expressed to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com.

Dennis Jay Smith was born on November 13, 1956 in Sioux City, Iowa to Virgil and Mary (Downing) Smith. He was raised on a Smith family farm south of Akron. Dennis attended Westfield Community School and graduated from high school in 1975. Dennis was united in marriage to Diane Lynette Johnson on November 23, 1985 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hawarden. They made their home on his farm and raised three children: Jerad, Justin, and Jaclyn.

Dennis was a lifelong farmer – he engaged in raising beef cattle and growing grain, corn, and soybeans. He started at a young age in Plymouth County 4-H; began his farm and continued to work alongside his father, mother, wife, and later his son. His career is part of a family legacy that includes the 1887 home place being recognized as a Century Farm in 1988. In October 2024, Dennis and Diane moved to Burbank, South Dakota where Dennis planned to retire after 2026 fall's harvest.

Early on, Dennis enjoyed golfing, snowmobiling, and even did a little snowmobile repair work. He enjoyed watching sprint car and formula one racing. He never missed all the children's school and sport activities and looked forward to the Akron farmer morning breakfast and coffee with the guys. He enjoyed traveling, especially when visiting family, and their time on the Missouri River.

Dennis previously was a board member and past president of the Akron Golf Course Board. Dennis was a long-time member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Akron; he was also a 3rd Degree Knight of Columbus and a Benedictine Oblate.

Dennis is survived by his wife of 40 years, Diane; three children: Jerad (Andrea) Smith of Morehead City, North Carolina, Justin (Ashley) Smith of Akron, and Jaclyn (Brook) Woehl of Yankton, South Dakota; eight grandchildren: Luke Smith, Emma Smith, Camden Smith, Brooks Smith, Dakota Smith, Juniper Woehl, Sawyer Woehl, and Clover Woehl; siblings: Tim (Barbara) Smith and Connie Skou; parents in law, Kathleen and Richard Knight; siblings in law: Donna Johnson, Tim (Wanda) Johnson, Julie (Tom) Rued, Janice (Dan) Ryan, Mitch (Connie) Johnson, and Victor Johnson; nieces, nephews and other extended relatives.

Dennis is preceded in death by his parents, Virgil and Mary Smith; father-in-law, Vincent Johnson; and brother in law, Don Skou.