Rikki Smith

Rikki Deen Smith, 44, of Twin Falls, passed away into the arms of her Savior on February 3, 2024. Born Rikki Adams on September 15, 1979, in Fort Belknap, Montana, her beautiful smile lit up a room wherever she went. As a 1998 graduate from Burley High School, her extended education ranged from classrooms in Montana, Western Australia, California, and Idaho, but she learned just as much about humanity from bartending, working in customer service, and holding tea parties with her daughters. 

Rikki’s career included being a Retail Operations Supervisor at First Federal, a Business Manager at the PressBox, and serving as a Certified Caregiver. She shined in customer service, where she worked at C3, and as Office Manager at The Blind Store, where she worked for almost a decade as the right-hand person within the company. She loved delivering excellent customer service and her customers loved her dedication and attention to detail.  

Rikki met her soulmate Butch Smith, and soon after, they were glued together like a PB and J—you’d rarely find one without the other. Seducing Rikki with a Kenny Rogers tune, “Lady,” Butch proposed in front of his church family. While shocked, she said yes, and everyone roared with applause. This match made in heaven was celebrated on July 14, 2012, when they wed at Valley Christian Church with their children and family nearby.  

Rikki’s work ethic was hard to match, and her joy came from making others happy. Only Santa could rival the twinkle in her eye when she gave to others or shared something funny with her wicked sense of humor. She loved from her whole heart and was known to clean passionately, occasionally even teaching others how to load a dishwasher correctly. Repeatedly. 

Rikki lived with Pallido Ponto Nigral Degeneration with Parkinsonism, (PPND) and participated in medical research on this rare neurodegenerative disorder with Mayo Clinic. Her dedication to various research studies was characterized as potentially invaluable to overall research development by scientists studying the hereditary syndrome.  

As her health began to decline, she shifted into working side by side with her husband in lawn care, landscaping, and snow removal, which became the family business. She enjoyed everything from spending time with family and friends to enjoying nature and even riding on the back of a 3-wheeler, holding on tight to see the sights of Idaho.  

Rikki was an overcomer—with her you laughed a little louder, loved a little harder, and smiled a little brighter. Your troubles were halved, and your happiness was multiplied. She was a North Star to many, and her soul will forever shine bright into eternity. 

She is preceded in death by her Father Mike Adams; Grandparents Hugh and Virginia Kienenberger and Clarence and Joyce Adams; Father-in-law Larry Smith, Sister-in-Law.

Sheryl Burdette and various aunts and uncles. She is survived by her Husband Larry “Butch” Smith; Children Kali Ann (Cody) Schmelzel; Henli Del Bosh and Andrew Rai Smith; 

Parents Loren & Linda Wolery; Mother-in-Law Bobbie Smith; Stepbrother Chet (Leesha) Wolery; Stepsister Brenda (Chris) Maloney; Sister-in-Law Shelly (Jay) Fort, and various family and friends.

A Celebration of Life Service will be 2 p.m. Sunday, February 11^th at Valley Christian Church, 1708 E. Heyburn Ave., Twin Falls. 

The family would like to thank Dr. Wszolek & Dr. Graff-Radford of Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida and Dr. Boeve of Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Additionally, the family would like to thank Audrey & Kandise, who coordinated her care.  

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Rikki Deen Smith Scholarship Fund through Valley Christian Church for children to attend Camp Kum-Ba-Yah, a natural space for kids to learn about God and engage with the outdoors. Donations are accepted at bit.ly/3Ux3f52.