Randy Smith, age 62, of Marathon, Iowa died Monday, December 25, 2017 at his home in rural Marathon.

Funeral services will be held Friday, December 29, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Albert City, Iowa. Burial will be in the Laurens Cemetery. Visitation will take place Thursday, December 28, 2017 from 5-7:00 p.m. at the Sliefert Funeral Home in Albert City. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Albert City is in charge of the arrangements. 

Randy Dean Smith, son of Duane and Ardis Lavohn (Ryon) Smith was born March 31, 1955 in Sioux Rapids, Iowa.

His early childhood years were spent on the farm south of Laurens where he attended grade school in Laurens.  In 1967, the family moved to a farm west of Albert City where he graduated in 1974 from Albert City-Truesdale High School.

While in high school, he was a member of the FFA chapter and participated in many sports, but wrestling was his love.  He was offered several scholarships for his wrestling abilities but gave them all up to farm which started with a small rented farm in 1973.

On October 1, 1976, he married Kellie Ellrich.  After living near Rembrandt for a year, the couple made Marathon their home where they have lived for the past 40 years and where they raised their two sons, Stacey and Jason.

Along with the farming, Randy drove truck and worked in the shop for Gary Reese in the summer and winters until he bought his own truck and hauled rock, grain and fertilizer.  In 1990, he began selling seed for Golden Harvest and later sold for NK, Wyffels and presently for Latham.

Nascar was Randy’s #1 love outside of farming and family.  He faithfully watched every race and attended as many races as he could.  He loved riding his motorcycle and took many trips over the years with Kellie, his brother, Don, and friends.  He cheered on the Chiefs and also the Cyclones.  He couldn’t resist a good joke or a stiff Crown Royal and Seven.

He did alot of interesting things in his life time, but most of all, he loved his wife, kids, grandkids, and all the dogs he ever had, especially Jake aka “Cubby”.  He was a generous, loving and giving man.  In his honor, take a moment to laugh, enjoy your favorite drink and hug the ones you love.

He will be missed by many and remembered by all who knew him.

Those left to honor his memory are his wife, Kellie; sons, Stacey (Belinda) and Jason (Angel); his mother, Lavohn; brothers; Don, Dennis (Donna) and sister, Darlys; grandchildren; (who were his pride and joy) Weston, Alyssa, and Bentley; step grandchildren; Ethan, Emmi and Brookelyn; extended family and friends and his beloved dog, “Maggie”.

Preceded in death by his father, his nephews, Kyle and Kevin, and aunts and uncles.

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