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In memory of

Loretta Elaine Smith

of Milesville, South Dakota, died on Monday, July 23, 2007 at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip at the age of 65

Loretta Elaine Sorum was born October 11, 1941, to Asaf and Hazel (Nelson) Sorum in Canton, SD. She grew up in the Fairview area and attended Canton grade and high school, graduating in 1959. Loretta went on to attend the University of South Dakota and Black Hills State College, where she earned her degree in elementary education and art.

She was united in marriage to the "cowboy" of her dreams, George E. Smith on January 11, 1964 in Philip, South Dakota. They had one daughter, Kristine Smith and made their home and ranched on the Cheyenne River in northern Haakon County. Loretta had an eye for good Black Angus cows and there never was a calf that couldn’t be saved or raised up on a bottle.

Loretta was a teacher for 17 years, teaching at Indian Springs, Plainview, and United Schools in Meade County. She also taught school on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation at Eagle Butte, Cherry Creek, and Bridger. She was especially fond of teaching art to her many students over the years.

The outdoors was Loretta’s calling. She was an avid sportswoman and truly enjoyed showing others the wildlife that lived on the Smith Ranch.

After retirement from teaching, Loretta was never with out a craft project or an art project in the works. She truly enjoyed making gifts for her family and friends. Quilting was another one of Loretta’s passions. She enjoyed going to quilting shows and making quilts for those in need of some comfort.

Keeping her memory most near are her husband, George and daughter, Kristine of Milesville: brother, John (Louise) Sorum, of Fairview, sister-in-law Vespersia Pennington of Gardner, KS, sister-in-law Clazena Sorum of Fairview, and many nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her father, Asaf Sorum, her mother Hazel Sorum, her sister as a child, Helen Sorum and her brother Robert Sorum.

Memorial services will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 27, at the United Church in Philip, with Pastor Brad Kattelmann officiating.
A memorial is established.
Arrangements are with the Rush Funeral Home of Philip. 

MEMORIAL SERVICES: Friday, July 27, 2007 10:00 a.m. ,United Church, Philip, South Dakota
CLERGY: Pastor Brad Kattelmann
MUSIC: Marilyn Millage – Organist, Barb Bowen – Vocalist: "On Eagle‘s Wings", "In The Garden"
USHERS: Jeff Sorum – Cevey Pennington – Wayne Sletton

MEMORIAL SERVICES: Friday, July 27, 2007 10:00 a.m. ,United Church, Philip, South Dakota
CLERGY: Pastor Brad Kattelmann
MUSIC: Marilyn Millage – Organist, Barb Bowen – Vocalist: "On Eagle‘s Wings", "In The Garden"
USHERS: Jeff Sorum – Cevey Pennington – Wayne Sletton
HONORARY PALLBEARERS: All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

  • George and Kris~
    I am sorry to hear about her passing. I loved her so much and she also taught me alot. I use to always come out there and hang out with her when my dad was grinding hay. I am sad to see her go but you all will be in my thoughts and prayers during this saddened time. I will miss her greatly.............     ~ Jennie Morrison 221 W 3rd Ave Miller, SD 57362 (7/23/2007)
  • So sorry to hear of your loved ones death. I remember coming out, as a child, to the ranch at Blairs'; I would occasionally come down to the Smith Ranch to see Loretta. Oh the memories. God Bless you all! You are in my thoughts and prayers. ~ Brittney Van Lint Philip, SD (7/23/2007)
  • George and Chris,
    Were thinking of you at this sad time...
    We love ya'll...
    Doug, Lisa, Phil and JoAnn Stark     ~ Doug Stark and Daughter Lisa, Phil and Jo Ann Stark Dell Rapids, SD/ Stamford, TX/ Las Vegas, NV (7/23/2007)
  • George and Kris,
    May God be with you in this difficult time of your lives, it is hard on those who she leaves behind but be comforted knowing she is pain free now. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Kramers     ~ John, Tonya and family (7/23/2007)
  • George and Kris,
    Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We hope the many good memories and joy associated with Loretta will give you comfort during this difficult time. We will remember Loretta fondly.     ~ Bob, Jennifer and George Stalley Pierre, SD (7/23/2007)
  • Sorry about Loretta, I'm sure that my boys have fond memories of the summers they spent riding at the Smith Ranch. Best wishes to you George & Kristine. ~ Rae Crowser Philip, SD (7/23/2007)
  • Kris, Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. Remember: Experience and Memories are two things that no one can take away from you. Give me a holler if there is anything I can do. I've lost a parent too and would sure lend an understanding ear. Take care of yourself. ~ Connie (Martinson) Gerard Edgemont, SD (7/23/2007)
  • George and Kristine: Sorry to hear about your wife and mother, my thoughts and prayers are with you both. Vicki (Wegner's) ~ Vicki D Pierre (7/23/2007)
  • Dear Chris & George,
    I'm sure you'll have many fond memories of Loretta. I've always admired her for many strengths, her heart-warming smile and great sense of humor. You all, always made us feel welcomed there, as if we were family. Lisa and I, really missed our good times on the ranch, after we moved south. Your friend, Tena Ulmer (Stark) Sanders     ~ Tena Sanders P O Box 3413, Stinnett, TX 79083 (7/23/2007)
  • Dear Kris,
    Please know how much I am thinking about you and your family this week. I am so deeply sorry for the loss of your mom. Time will heal the pain, remember to smile and keep your memories close to your heart. God Bless, Deb and family     ~ Deb Hartford (7/23/2007)
  • Our sympathy to you. Regularly I would think of Loretta as I opened the closet that had the beautiful crocheted Christmas Centerpiece. It was a gift bestowed on us many years ago and brought back memories of visits over the years. Mom would always chuckle at the time she mistakenly got in the wrong blue and white Chrysler New Yorker. Loretta's car was the same make and color, but only a two door. A funny mix up. And when I windrowed a the Smith Ranch and had to be pulled out many times that hot summer by getting too close to the lake bed. Good memories. Our thoughts are with you both, George and Kris and family during this time. ~ Bill and Marsha Sumpter Kadoka (7/23/2007)
  • Kris, Please know you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. - Steph & family ~ Stephanie Tamisiea Yankton (7/23/2007)
  • George and Kris- My deepest sympathy is with you both at this time of great sorrow. The time I got to spend on the ranch is something I have always treasured!! Loretta's presence and sense of humor here on Earth will be greatly missed by those who knew her. I for one still have a great deal of respect for her.
    Sincerely, Vikki     ~ Vikki (Morell) Hamling 3855 S Hwy 79 Lot 60 Rapid City SD 57701 (7/23/2007)


  • I was sorry to hear of Loretta. I have many memories from growing up just up the hill from George and Loretta. Many of them include coming down at night to play cards with Loretta. I also remember all the times of mowing the yard and Loretta always had a snack for me when I was done. She always seemed to be starting a new craft project all the time. I still have a jean purse she made me. I really miss those days. My sympathy to you in this time of sorrow.     ~ Tiffanie (Blair) Wakeley Wausa, NE (7/23/2007)
  • Hello Uncle George and Kris, I wish the miles between us where not so many because I wish I was there for the loss of Aunt Loretta. I will always remember her on my trips out to the ranch and the trip Grandmother Sorum and her took Cliford and I on out to the Black Hills one summer. Take care Roger ~ Roger Sorum 235 Woodlands Drive, Bastrop, TX 78602 (7/23/2007)
  • Aunt Loretta was always kind to me and always ready to lend an ear. She was my "connection" to my dad after he was gone. I know my father truly cherished his little sister and I know she missed him. I know they are together now and will have time to catch up on visiting. Perhaps Grandma Hazel and Loretta can work on a quilt and warm our hearts when we think about them. I know this is a difficult time for you and you are in my prayers. Love Roxanne ~ Roxanne Wolfe - niece 5006 CR 1430 / Lubbock, Texas 79407 (7/23/2007)
  • I was saddened to read about Loretta's death. I have not seen her for MANY yrs. but do remember her thru church/school, etc. My father was also related to the Sorums. I see Louise & John often as well as Chuck. My thoughts are with you. I esp. enjoyed seeing Loretta with her calf when a youngster--maybe in 4H? Gloria Gilbertson Rops ~ Gloria Gilbertson Rops Box 607 Lennox, SD 57039 (7/23/2007)
  • Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.

     ~ Clifford and Janet Sorum Canton, SD (7/23/2007)
  • Sorry to hear about Loretta. You are in our prayers.
    With God's Love, Dan and Colleen

     ~ Dan and Collen Nelson 19503 SD Hwy 20 Meadow,S.D. 57644 (7/23/2007)
  • Loretta and I had the same great grandparents Mikkel and Christine Gilbertson. I have many fond memories of Loretta as we were growing up. I even remember visiting her at Sioux Valley Hospital after one of her surgeries in the 1950s. She was such an excellent seamstress then that finding out her passion for quilting did not surprise me. I know you will all miss her. My thoughts are with you. I enjoyed the Memory Book which brought back good memories of her. Barb Roe ~ Barbara Gilbertson Roe 10552 188th St. W. ,Lakeville, MN 55044 (7/23/2007)
  • Kris, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. Please know you and your father are in our prayers. Take care,
    Tana Montgomery and family

     ~ Tana Montgomery 5501 Farmstead Ct. S. Fargo, ND 58104 (7/23/2007)
  • Dear George and Kris,
    My thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Way back my grandmother, Kathryn Altfillisch, was a friend of Loretta's mother. After my Aunt Helen Altfillisch died over 9 years ago, Loretta had called to talk to me when I had been out to the ranch and wanted to make sure I found a picture she had painted. Then she talked to me about how both my grandmother and Helen had been so extraordinary. I'll always remember that special conversation and her kind words. Please accept my sympathy for your loss.
    Sincerely,
    Alice     ~ Alice Earle 23 Sutcliffe Ave., Canton, MA 02021 (7/23/2007)
  • Kris and George, my sympathy goes out to both of you. ~ John O'Grady White Owl SD (7/23/2007)
  • Kris, I am very sorry to hear about your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
     ~ Barry Bruner Foxfield , CO (7/23/2007)

  • ~ James & Laura Symens 30313 Cooper Ave. Mission BC (7/23/2007)
  • I was very sorry to hear about Loretta's passing. I remember her so well as we were growing up. I'm Jim & Rosy Sorum's daughter...I saw Loretta many years ago during my visit to So. Dakota with my Mom (about 16 years ago). My thoughts are with you. Vicki Melgreen ~ Vicki Lynn Sorum Melgreen P.O. Box 1687 Shingle Springs, Ca. 95682 (7/23/2007)
  • Kris and George, I'm sorry to hear about Loretta. I extend my sympathy to you. Kris, it was good to visit with you last year in Gillette and it brought up some good memories of times at your place with your parents and you. Take care. ~ Charlie (Longbrake )Bradshaw Douglas, Wyoming (7/23/2007)