Darlene Wallentine Smart

Our devoted mother, doting grandmother, and tender great-grandmother, Darlene Smart, was reunited with her beloved husband in a joyful reunion.

Darlene was born September 14, 1933, to Hazel Hymas and L.C. Wallentine in the rural town of Lanark, Idaho. She was the fifth of ten children growing up on a farm where she learned at a young age how to work - laboring outdoors and keeping up a household. She had many duties like pasturing cattle on her horse Prince, and plucking the feathers off the chickens.

In high school Darlene enjoyed Pep Club, Home Economics, Choir, Operetta and Seminary. After graduating from high school she moved to Logan and worked as a waitress at the iconic Bluebird restaurant on Logan’s Main Street.

After a year, Darlene returned to her hometown of Paris, Idaho, where she worked as a receptionist and assistant to the town doctor. It was here at a church event that a dance with a handsome Navy sailor was the beginning of a wonderful courtship. She married Ross A. Smart in the Logan Temple on December 28, 1953, and often remarked it was “the day her life began”. They were blessed with six children. Of all the things in life, it was the role of wife and mother that she cherished most.

Darlene had many interests and hobbies. She was a classy lady who was refined and cultured. She loved to pamper her daughters and granddaughters with makeup and nail polish. She had a keen eye for beautiful things and was always well-dressed in a neat, fashionable way. She loved making each of her children and grandchildren a handmade quilt when they got married. Her aptitude for design and cleanliness created a nurturing and loving home for her children and grandchildren. Homemaking was an art for her and she was a gifted artist. She had a green thumb and took pride in her large well-kept garden and yard. Despite this, she let her grandchildren make mud pies in the birdbath and enjoy the magical world of “grandma’s backyard”. Good food was an important part of all family gatherings. She was often making treats and giving them to neighbors, family, and friends. After any visit, she would always be at the door handing out a treat to go.

Darlene found great joy in serving wherever she was; excelled in everything she did, and put the same effort in all responsibilities. Darlene and Ross served together in the Logan Temple for many years and enjoyed their association there. They also volunteered as tour guides at the Logan Tabernacle and then later served a mission together to the Philippines. They loved the people of Cebu and gave generously to those in need. For example, they donated computers for a training center and taught employment skills. Darlene’s excellent organizational talents provided order to many of the resources and meeting house libraries. She also empowered the women with creative occupation ideas like selling crepes; teaching them the skills and donating the equipment for them to start their own street vendor business--an endeavor that eased their burden of poverty. Darlene served in various church roles and capacities and found great joy in bringing others closer to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

More than anything Darlene loved her family. Both those on earth and in heaven. She worked tirelessly to link ancestors to those living today. She was often in contact with relatives both close and distant working to gather dates, photos, and stories. She left a legacy of faith and a love of eternal families. Her family tree here on earth grew and grew yet she never forgot a birthday and everyone, including in-laws, received a birthday card and money.

Darlene passed away on August 30, 2022 in Farmington, Utah. She is survived by her six children Eric Smart (Patti), Marilyn Fisher (Kent), Carol Chambers (Jim), Allan Smart (Denise), Brian Smart (Karen), Diane Grant (Nate). She has 21 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren with two precious great-grandbabies due later this year. She is preceded in death by her husband, Ross and granddaughter, Erika Smart.

Services will be held on Saturday, September 24 at 12:00 p.m. at Allen-Hall Mortuary 34 East Center in Logan, Utah, with a visitation prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Interment will be at the Logan City Cemetery 1000 N 1200 E.

Funeral services will be livestreamed and can be viewed by clicking the link below (password: Darlene)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82025456926?pwd=SzI5bEZhclRLK3dLd0l5YzI2eUhSQT09

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ross A. and Darlene Smart scholarship fund in the School of Veterinary Medicine at Utah State University.