Juletta M. Smith
Juletta Mary Smith, 88, of Aberdeen, SD, passed away peacefully in her sleep at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital on Friday, April 14, 2023.
Juletta was born to Ludwig and Katherina (Welder) Mathern in Emmons County, ND, on April 16, 1934, during a dust storm on a 90-degree day. As a girl, she moved with her family to rural Mina, SD, where she attended country school, and later attended St. Mary’s School. After graduating from Aberdeen Central High School, she took two years of business courses. Juletta married Warren F. “Bud” Smith in Aberdeen on April 27, 1957. They cherished their daughter, Catherine, and her family.
Juletta’s 46-year business career includes the Loan Department at First National Bank of Aberdeen, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. In 1969, Juletta and Bud purchased the First State Bank of Sharon, ND, where they lived for 10 years and made dear friends. Returning to Aberdeen, Juletta became Executive Director of the Aberdeen Housing Authority for 19 years, managing The Homestead, The Sherman Apartments and overseeing its construction, and securing the Section 8 Housing Program with 400 subsidized rental units. She was one of four Aberdeen citizens who established Homes Are Possible, Inc. in January 1999, and she continued as a member of its board until her death. She was also on the Board of Directors at Dacotah Banks, Inc. for 14years.
Juletta was very proud to have grown up in a family that were dairy farmers for 75 years. She was a skilled card player and was active in community and Church organizations. She and Bud were especially supportive of organizations serving children. She enjoyed travel to Ireland, Alaska, Mexico, across the US, and some winters in The Villages, Florida.
Juletta is survived by her daughter Catherine (husband, Terry Christensen) Smith of Sioux Falls; grandsons Brent (Callie) Dutenhoffer of Watertown and Evan (fiancée Laney Ulschmid) Dutenhoffer of Wetonka; great-granddaughter Renli; step-granddaughters, Kayla Kelderman and Brianna Christensen; sisters-in-law, Mary Mathern and Evalyn Smith of Aberdeen, and Joyce (Glenn) Tschetter of Billings, MT; 14 nephews and nieces; and ten God children.
Preceding her in death were her husband, Bud, in 1998; her sister Katie (Melvin) Lammle; her brother Alvin Mathern; and seven siblings-in-law.