Obituary of Victoria Fay

Victoria (Smith) Fay, 68, went to be with her Lord our Father on Thursday, July 4, 2024. She passed peacefully at home, surrounded by family, after an extended battle with cancer.  A Vigil Service will be held at St. John Catholic Parish in Plankinton, SD, on Sunday, July 21, 2024 from 5 to 7 pm with a 6:30 pm prayer service. A Memorial Mass will follow at St. John Parish on Monday, July 22, 2024 at 10:30 am.  Arrangements by Koehn Bros. Funeral Home in Stickney.

Victoria was born on July 22, 1955, to Donald and Lois Smith in Sioux City, Iowa. Donald left the family farm to serve in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper during WWII. When he returned home, he drove truck and trained and raced quarter horses. Lois was a loving homemaker and mother.

In 1971, Victoria married Harold Fay. To this union two daughters were born, Jennifer and Amanda. Once both girls were old enough to attend school, Victoria continued her education. She graduated from Black Hills State University, Spearfish, SD, in 1988 with a Bachelor's Degree. A lifelong learner, Victoria graduated from Capella University in 2008 with a Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling.

Victoria spent her early career working in the criminal justice field as a correctional officer and then as a probation officer. In her later years, she worked as a mental health counselor at Dakota Counseling Institute in Mitchell, SD. Victoria was honored to have spent her life in the service of others.

Traveling with friends, crafting, and working in the yard filled Victoria's time after she retired. Toward the end of her life, Victoria found solace in her Catholic faith.

Victoria is survived by her 2 daughters: Jennifer Fay of Platte, SD and Amanda (Rodney) Miiller of Pierre, SD; 5 siblings:  Veronica Rogers of Naalehu, HI; Alice (Roger) Beargeon of South Sioux City, NE; Donna (Norm) Chase of Salisbury, MD; Patricia (Ron) Nelson of Antioch, CA; and Donald Smith Jr. of Decatur, NE; 3 grandchildren, Blaze Giroux, Sarah Krull, and Molly Krull; and extended family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Lois Smith, and her ex-husband, Harold Fay.