Arlene Randall, 94, of Aberdeen, SD, passed away Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at Avera Mother Joseph Manor.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 28, 2025, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Aberdeen.
A time for fellowship and luncheon will follow at the parish hall.
Interment will follow the lunch in Hoven, SD, at St. Anthony’s Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 4-5 p.m. on Thursday, February 27, at Schriver’s Memorial Chapel, with a 5:00 p.m. liturgical wake service. Visitation continues one hour before the service.
Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.schriversmemorial.com. Services will be recorded and posted on Schriver’s website following the service.
Arlene Marie Simon was born on June 18, 1930, to Stephen F. and Lena (Mellenbach) Simon in Bowdle, SD. She was raised on the family farm 5 miles south of Hoven, where she learned the value of family and hard work. Arlene attended country school and then transferred to Hoven High School, graduating at the age of 16.
After attending Northern State Teachers College in Aberdeen, SD, she moved to Sioux Falls. Her father thought he would like her to be closer to home, so he found her a job in the Bank in Selby, SD, a mere 63 miles away. This is where she met the love of her life, Earl Randall, and later joined him in Fairbanks, Alaska, 2800 miles from home. Earl and Arlene were married on July 10th, 1951. They lived in a 24-foot mobile home where Vicki Lynn was born a year later. Since they didn’t have running water, they had to use a public washroom.
Upon Earl’s discharge from the service, they decided Earl should attend South
Dakota State University. They resided in the campus barracks (a metal Quonset), where they welcomed their second child, Debra Sue. After graduation, they moved to Coon Rapids, MN; later, they moved to Aberdeen, SD, this is where they welcomed their third child, Dana Earl. In 1972, it was time to relocate to Sioux Falls, SD. Three short years later, they moved to Jamestown, ND. In the spring of 1979, they had the chance to move back to Aberdeen, Arlene was so excited she moved before Dana graduated from high school.
Arlene was employed most of her married life, starting with being a typist for the South Dakota State Auditor, Harlen Peterson & Co., EROS Data Center, located 15 miles north of Sioux Falls, Northern Plains Consortium in Jamestown, and Presentation College in the business office until her retirement.
Arlene was passionate about celebrating birthdays. Inspired by her younger sister making her a birthday cake for her 23rd birthday, Arlene never let a birthday go by that she didn’t make a homemade personalized cake for her family. Arlene also never missed an opportunity to make a meal for her family; Sunday evenings were the place to be, sitting around the dining room table enjoying a delicious meal that included a yummy cake, pie, or her famous monster cookies. She enjoyed bridge; she belonged to several bridge clubs through the years. After her retirement, Fr. Tschakert convinced her to arrange the funeral luncheons at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, where she was a devoted parish member; she did this until her arthritis became too advanced.
Grateful for having shared Arlene’s life are her husband of 74 years, Earl; her children: Vicki (Jim) Bruse of Sioux Falls, SD, and Dana (Becky) Randall of Akaska, SD; son-in-law Joe Barnett of Aberdeen, SD; siblings, LaVern Simon of Aberdeen, SD, Annette Frost of Hoven, SD; and sister-in-law Lila Simon of Hoven, SD; grandchildren: Erin (Rob) Mitzel, Jarod Bruse, Lindsay (Mario) Gourde, Steven (Nicole) Barnett, Eric Barnett, Megan (Dan) Ogren, Joey Barnett, Amanda (Chris) McKay, and Kaitlyn (Brock) Knodel; 15 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.
Arlene was preceded in death by her daughter Debra Sue Barnett; parents, Stephen and Lena; in-laws Elmer & Marvel; siblings Rosella, Clem, Richard, Stephen Jr., Gene and Mike Simon.
Arlene’s favorite charity was the Roncalli Scholarship Fund. In lieu of flowers or memorials, the family requests to visit someone in the nursing home in honor of Arlene. It will brighten their day.
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