Doyle Lee Smelker

Lifelong, Stratton, Colorado resident Doyle Lee Smelker, 80, passed away on Friday, April 18, 2025, at Highline Place in Littleton, Colorado. Doyle was born to Ivan and Wilma (Schaal) Smelker on September 13, 1944, in Burlington, Colorado. He joined three older siblings, Gerald, Gladys and Charles and a year later Dolores was born. When he was about 1 year old, he spent several weeks with his Grandma and Grandpa Schaal while his mother recuperated from an illness. During this time, his grandparents doted on him, he was a joy to them, and they developed a close bond. Years later as a young man he always had time for them. Grandma Schaal got the first ride in his 1968, fastback Torino, and she loved every minute!!

Life on the farm was always exciting especially as a young child with an ornery rooster. He told his mother that the rooster chased him and tore his shirt. The next time prepared, he wacked the rooster and they had rooster soup for supper. Doyle attended school in Stratton and graduated in 1963. High school was full of fun, sock hops, cars and adventures with his friends and classmates. Many tales were told of their escapades. He spent his senior trip in the mountains, training for the State Track meet by running behind the school bus. At the meet, Doyle tied for first place and set a Stratton high school track record in the one mile run that has never been broken.

Doyle attended Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado and attained an Associate of Arts degree. He enjoyed his time there with close childhood friends. Doyle joined the Army National Guard in 1965 and served for 6 years. During that time, his Burlington unit was called to active duty to Denver to help with the clean up after the 1965 Denver flood. He was released from duty in 1971 with the rank of Sergeant. During that time, he was also working as a foreman for the Great Western Sugar Company in Grant, Nebraska. Doyle decided to return back to college in 1970 at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado to get his Bachelor of Science degree. However, in March of 1971, his father had a bad accident and he returned to take over the farming and ranching, instead of finishing college.

While in Fort Collins, he met the love of his life, Christina Marie Lacey. They were married on August 7, 1971, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in her hometown of Dell Rapids, South Dakota. They moved a mobile home onto the home place in Stratton, Colorado and resided there for 10 years where they raised five children, Scott, Jennifer, Christy, Nancy and Nate. Outgrowing that space, Doyle built his family a new home on land acquired from Boots Wilson, a real godsend!! In 1991, they were blessed with their 6th and last baby girl, Kaitlyn, whom the older kids doted on.

Doyle and his father, Ivan farmed in partnership for many years and Doyle continued the family farming legacy after Ivan passed. Doyle was a darn good farmer and rancher. He knew his land, his cows, and was always thinking ahead or talking about what he should have done or what he was going to do next time. In addition to running a successful centennial farm and ranch, Doyle was a Dekalb seed salesman and did this for over 30 years. Doyle and Christina enjoyed several award trips with Dekalb to Chicago, Omaha and Denver. Doyle volunteered in his community in various roles, he served as President of the Stratton Alumni Association and served many terms as a farmer appointee on the Farm Service Agency (FSA).

Family vacations were in the summer, after harvest of course, and were spent in the mountains fishing at Chambers Lake with their children and other family or on many trips back to South Dakota to visit relatives. Doyle enjoyed yearly hunting trips with his sons, brothers, brothers-in law and nephews.

Doyle was a loving husband, father and grandpa. He was a jokester and always the first to smile. He was a tough dad, as there was only one way to do things, the right way! And you always had to work until the work was done or the sun went down. He installed so many of his amazing qualities and values in his children of honesty, hard work ethic and not giving up, even if old mother nature beat you up a bit now and again. He was known to his grandchildren as Grandpa or Papa and always had a smile or a wink and a big hug for them. He loved to talk and visit with friends and family. He loved holding his grandbabies, watching sunsets and spending time with those he was closest to. He could often be found, sitting outside after a long day at the farm, enjoying the peacefulness of his home, petting his dog.

In February of 2024, Doyle and Christina moved to Littleton to be closer to their daughters and grandchildren. They would have celebrated their 54th year of marriage this August.

Preceding Doyle in death were his parents, his siblings, Gerald Smelker, Gladys (Harry) Norman, Charles (Marilyn) Smelker, Dolores Rehor and his daughter, Jennifer Wells.

Surviving family includes his wife, Christina and his children, Scott (Larisa) Smelker, Christy (Stephen) Wretling, Nathan (Tiffany) Smelker, Nancy (Craig) Stevens and Kaitlyn (Carl) Kishbaugh and one son-in-law Adam Wells. He is also survived by 9 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren (with one on the way); one sister-in-law Lela Smelker, one brother-in-law Lee Roy Rehor.

Memorial contributions may be made out to the St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church or to the Stratton Alumni Fund and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.