Violet Smoot, 93, of Wall, South Dakota, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, February 6, 2025. Her final day on Earth was filled with the joy of baking a cherry pie, enjoying a walk in the sunshine, and spending time with family.
Violet was born on December 18, 1931, on the family ranch near Conata, South Dakota, to Christ and Emily Huether. She was a cheerleader at Quinn High School in Quinn, South Dakota, where she graduated in 1949. Following high school, Violet attended Black Hills Normal School, earning a teaching certificate. She returned to Conata to teach in the rural school, starting her lifelong commitment to hard work and service.
On June 8,1952, she married John Smoot of Wall, South Dakota and to this union a daughter, Barbara, and two sons, John William “Bill” and Kim, were born. After John and Violet divorced, Violet remained dedicated to raising her three children on her own in Wall. She worked tirelessly to provide for them, instilling in them the values of responsibility, independence, and resilience.
Violet was known for her strong work ethic. In her earlier years, she worked in various hospitality jobs before starting at Shelton’s Variety Store. In April of 1985, she began her career at Wall Drug Store, where she worked for nearly 30 years. She took pride in her role in the Boot Department and enjoyed the trips to buy merchandise. Violet considered no one a stranger and enjoyed meeting the many interesting travelers and college and foreign students that came to work at the Drug Store each year. She finally decided to retire at the young age of 81.
Family was the cornerstone of Violet’s life, and she cherished the moments spent with her loved ones. The annual Huether Family Reunion in Wall was an event she eagerly anticipated each year, relishing the opportunity to reconnect with both immediate and extended family. Holidays were a time for warmth and laughter, often spent surrounded by her children and grandchildren, playing Hand and Foot or any card game that came her way. Violet’s adventurous spirit also led her to travel, creating cherished memories on trips to Laughlin, Nevada with her sisters, California with Barb, Oklahoma with Bill and to Kansas to see Kim. These travels and countless visits over the years strengthened her bonds with those she held dear.
Even in retirement, she kept herself busy with friends and family quilting, having coffee at the Drug Store, playing bingo and card games, putting together puzzles, attending Wall High School sports events, and taking an occasional trip to Deadwood to play slots. Violet stayed active well into her later years, camping on the Badlands Wall with her son, Kim, at age 89, hunting for the perfect Christmas tree to cut with great grandchildren in the Black Hills, and traveling to Minnesota for Christmas and cards at age 93.
Violet was a dedicated member of the First Lutheran Church in Wall, where she gave her time and support to the community. Though she may not have been overtly sentimental, her quiet determination and steadfast nature left a lasting impression on those who knew her.
Violet will be lovingly remembered by her children, Barbara Williamson, Belle Fourche, South Dakota, John William “Bill” Smoot, St Onge, South Dakota and Kim (Debbie) Smoot, Wall, South Dakota, her sisters, Delja Hoffman, Wall, South Dakota, and Marge Martin, Rapid City, South Dakota, her brother Leroy Huether, Redondo Beach, California, her grandchildren, Tyler Williamson, Hulett, Wyoming, Lisa Gareis, Denver, Colorado, Staci Kaltenbach, Rochester, Minnesota, Rory Smoot, Rochester, Minnesota, Dustin Smoot, Spearfish, South Dakota, Jana White, Rapid City, South Dakota and Marli Schippers, Rapid City, South Dakota, as well as 19 great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters, Ruth Pourier, Rosanna Shaffer, Phyllis Kilpatrick, Kathryn Lyle, her brother William “Sonny” Huether, and her grandson, Christopher Smoot.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the Spring at Wall, South Dakota and Inurnment will take place at the Wall Cemetery.
A memorial has been established for the Wall High School Athletic Complex.
You may sign her online guestbook at www.blackhillsfuneralhome.com.
