Darwin T. Smith, 71, of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, October 22, 2022, at Floyd Valley Healthcare in Le Mars. A Celebration of Life Service will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 27, 2022, at the Mauer – Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. Rev. Dan Krause will officiate. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. The family will be present from 5-7 p.m. to greet friends.

Darwin Thomas Smith was born on November 2, 1950, in Sioux City, Iowa, the son of Robert E. and Marjorie Ione (Boettger) Smith. He was raised in Merrill, Iowa and graduated from Le Mars Community High School in 1968.

On January 20, 1968, Darwin and Sally Rae Groetken were united in marriage in Le Mars. Darwin worked at Dubuque Packing in Le Mars until it closed. He took a position with Supersweet Feeds in Le Mars and later worked at Smithfield's in Orange City, Iowa. Darwin retired in 2017, but continued to help with the Ag Center in Le Mars during planting and harvest seasons.

Darwin had a great love for horses and raised them since he was 14. He was never without a horse. He also cared for a variety of animals on his "Hobby farm". He was an avid gun collector and rode 4-wheelers and motorcycles. In earlier years, he was a 4-H leader and was a member of the Merrill Saddle Club for 50 years.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 54 years, Sally Smith of Le Mars, IA; a daughter, Robin Adeoti and her husband, Yinusa of Louisville, KY; a daughter, Kelli Smith of Le Mars, IA; grandchildren, Hannah, Lucas, Kyle, Alex and Shawn; and several great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Larry Smith.