Julie Smith

Julie May Parlin was born Sept. 29, 1953, at Lutheran Hospital in Hot Springs, S.D., to Darrell Joseph Parlin and Helen Ruth McKenzie Parlin. The younger child and only daughter, she completed the family, joining older brother Tom.  She was baptized at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Custer, S.D., Dec. 15, 1957, and remained a lifelong member.
Julie’s dad owned and operated Darrel’s Phillips 66 while her mother kept the books and managed the business. Although Julie rarely got to “work” at the station, many are the times she would accompany her dad on trips to Rapid City to pick up supplies or make deliveries which usually culminated in lunch at McDonald’s.
Julie attended school in Custer and graduated from Custer High School in May 1972. She admitted she was just an average student but found success when Wilma Smith was hired as the Custer High School girls intramural coach. Julie honed her skills and found her competitive stride in running up and down the court. Look out if you got caught in her path when Julie was executing a play to the basket.
After high school graduation Julie attended Chadron State (Neb.) College. According to Julie’s telling of the story, the next summer she followed her friend Ben Raver to Mankato, Minn., and transferred to Mankato State College.
In 1975 Julie moved to the Metro area of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn. She worked in a variety of jobs: as an apartment complex co-manager then in customer service/print counter sales for various print shops in the Twin Cities. She said one of the best jobs she had was working as an event planner at Mystic Lake Casino in Shakopee, Minn..  
When her downtown apartment complex was slated for demolition to make way for the new Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome she moved to Burnsville, Minn., and purchased a manufactured home.
While living at Camelot Acres in Burnsville, she noticed a man regularly walking through the mobile home park. They eventually struck up a conversation and that is how she met Albert Marston Smith, Jr. They were married July 24, 1997, in Chamberlain, S.D.. He passed away Aug. 24,  2001.
Julie returned to Custer, moving back to the family place off of Sidney Park Road where she began looking after her mother, Helen. Oftentimes they would pack a lunch and embark on drives throughout the Black Hills, selecting their destination from a point on the compass Helen would choose. Helen passed away June 14, 2011.
Julie remained on the family place and deeply cherished its quiet solitude and breathtaking vista. She was a cheerful, trusting soul and fiercely loyal to friends who reciprocated that sacred trust.
A testimonial of her loyalty was found in an editorial written by Julie and published in the Mankato State Reporter May 1, 1975.
Mankato State College held a Spring Floral Ball in which her friend, Pam Pettit, was selected as Miss Mankato State. Obviously there were some negative and controversial comments about the selection for which Julie wrote to defend her friend: “Just for the record, there were five candidates…………..three college officials chose Pam Pettit on such things as personality, leadership, poise and appearance. Knowing Pam as I do, she’s a very sincere, warm and understanding individual. Truly a very beautiful person both inside and out.”
Over the years, Julie welcomed her closest friends and cousins to the place, careening around the acreage on the four-wheeler or side-by-side or by putting them to “work” splitting logs for firewood. The best times were spent sharing memories or spinning yarns always punctuated by moments of hearty laughter.
Julie moved to Monument Health Assisted Living in Custer Feb. 22, 2024. She often remarked how she loved her “new home” and enjoyed the care and attention she received from the staff and her trusted caregiver, Monica McGowan.
As her health needs increased, she transitioned to Custer Care and Rehab Center Jan. 31. She loved her spacious, sunny, south-facing room and her cheerful demeanor once again endeared her to the entire staff at Custer Care and Rehab Center.
Julie passed away at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 1, 2025 at Monument Health Hospital in Rapid City, S.D., after a brief and sudden illness. She was 71.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Darrel and Helen; her brother, Tom; and husband, Al Smith.
Julie will be missed by her many friends, yet all will recall her cheerful nature and the positive lens through which she viewed life.
At Julie’s request, a graveside service will be held at Custer Cemetery Saturday, May 3, at 10 a.m.
Arrangements have been placed in the care of Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home in Custer. Condolences may be left at chamberlainmccolleys.com.