Randy Smith

Randy Smith, age 56, of Watertown, SD, passed away on Sunday, September 18th, 2022, at Prairie Lakes Healthcare System.

Family Prayer Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. and visitation from 2:00-4:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 25th, at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown, SD.

Randall “Randy” Lee Smith was born December 23, 1965, in Minot, ND.  Randy was raised in Minot and graduated from Minot High School in 1984.

Randy loved spending summers at the McLain farm in Mohall, ND while growing up.  He was mowing on the John Deere lawn mower at an early age and in no time was driving the John Deere tractors and combine.  Time with Grandpa Lauren on the farm while hanging out with his sister and cousins singing “Elvira” made being at the farm extra special, not only for Randy but those who were blessed to be in his presence.

Randy’s bigger than life smile and outgoing personality was evident at a very young age and made him a friend to everybody all through his school years and beyond.  His Laugh was contagious.   ^Greater love has no one than this – to lay down one’s life for one’s friend^ John 15:13

Randy will be greatly missed by his sister Jeannie.  Randy and Jeannie leaned on each other while growing up together.  Randy was a mentor, teacher, protector, and friend to Jeannie and in many ways a large influence in her becoming the person she is today.

Randy married Kimberly “Kim” Jacobson.  To this union, a son was born.  They lived in Houston, TX and Minot, ND.  He later married Kristi Olthoff. To this union, his daughter and second son were born.  They lived in the Phoenix, AZ area.  Though distance was a barrier, Randy loved his children dearly.  He later moved to Watertown, SD, where he met his fiancé, Tammy Arbach and became close with her five children and six grandchildren.

He had a great love for music, concerts, karaoke, motorcycle riding and the Arizona Cardinals. He was an avid pool and dart player, loved hanging out with “his girl” and put his whole heart into his careers. Randy had the biggest heart and an even bigger personality making it easy to find many great friends and he left a lasting impression with everyone he was around.

Grateful for having shared in his life are fiancé, Tammy Arbach; her daughters: Jeannie Bublitz and Jennifer Jensen of Altamont, SD, Stephanie (Christopher “Chris”) Coolbaugh and Lindsey Arbach of Watertown, SD, and Heather Arbach of Sioux Falls, SD; her grandchildren: Jordan Winters and Coby Jensen of Watertown, SD, Taylor Bublitz of Altamont, SD, Brady Boyle and Addison Bublitz of Altamont, SD, Isla Coolbaugh of Watertown, SD; his first son, Joseph “Joey” Smith of Ladera Ranch, CA; daughter, Kalin Smith, second son, Gavin Smith of Peoria, AZ; his parents, Bonnie and Patrick (step-father) Moon of Belleville, IL; one sibling, Jean “Jeannie” (David) Vander Weide of Watertown, SD; niece, Amanda (Jeff) Penning of Sioux Falls, SD; nephew, Austin (Jocelyn) Vander Weide of Sioux Falls, SD; niece, Allie (Samuel “Sam”) Schroeder of Watertown, SD; and great nieces, Jaidyn and Harper Penning of Sioux Falls, SD.

Randy Smith was preceded in death by great-grandma, Gertie Johnson, grandpa, Lauren and grandma, Gladys McLain, all of Mohall, ND. 

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel     www.crawfordosthus.com                             Watertown, Hayti, De Smet, Bryant

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