Sandy + Greg Smith

Returning to Our Roots

Our story begins with a rich heritage of pioneer farmers and ranchers in South Dakota and Nebraska. For generations, our families have thrived in the livestock and entrepreneurial businesses. The Berens and Smith lineage traces back to Gregory as early as 1906. Raised in Gregory, we pursued education at South Dakota State University, joining the ROTC program and commissioning into the Air Force as 2nd Lieutenants. After over 20 years of service, we retired from active duty, initially settling in Colorado Springs. Yet, in 2016, a calling to support our aging parents led us back home to Gregory, accompanied by 100 alpacas.

In 2024, Greg proposed a new venture. He had his eyes on a grand log home that, although beautiful, had been neglected. I was hesitant, but our shared resolve saw us purchase the property on March 1st, 2024, beginning its restoration. By Memorial Day, we had moved in. The renovations included a new roof, gutters, windows, and doors, along with extensive deck repairs and landscaping. We removed over a dozen trailer loads of debris, refinished hardwood floors, and refreshed the interiors. By the end of August, we hosted our eldest daughter's wedding at the lodge. Though a work in progress, the transformation is remarkable.