Arlene Merxbauer
February 19, 1925 ~ March 15, 2009
Arlene Merxbauer, 84, of Miller, passed away Sunday, March 15, 2009 at Sanford USD Medical Center, Sioux Falls.
Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, March 19, 2009 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Miller with Rev. Robert Ohnstad officiating. Burial was in G.A.R. Cemetery, Miller. Visitation was held from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 18, 2009 with a 7:30 p.m. prayer service at Reck Funeral Home in Miller.
Arlene Frances Huisman was born February 19, 1925, to Harry and Pauline (Taylor) Huisman in Hand County, where she grew up. She married Elgin Merxbauer on October 19, 1948 and they shared 48 years together prior to his death in 1997. She married Ronald Blachford on December 24, 2002.
Arlene worked many years at the Hand County Treasurer’s Office and the Hand County Highway Department. She was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, VFW, American Legion and Eastern Star.
Survivors include her husband, Ron, of Miller; two daughters, Deb Merxbauer of Sioux Falls and Vicki Fields of Aurora, CO; two granddaughters, Virginia Fields of Greeley, CO, and Megan Fields of Englewood, CO; step mother-in-law, Lorraine Blachford of Miller; three step-children, Ronette (Steve) Stewart of Ft. Pierre, SD; Mark (Belinda) Blachford of Las Cruces, NM; and Jason (Jenny) Blachford of Watertown, SD; four step-grandchildren and three step great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband Elgin, her parents and her brother Duane.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the Children's Care Hospital and School, 1100 West 41st Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57105.
Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Arlene's arrangements.
MINSTER
Rev. Robert Ohnstad
CASKETBEARERS
Bernie Huisman
Rob Tong
Jeff Tong
Lance DeHaai
John Stewart
Neil Stevens
Dave Nelson
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS
Arnold Johnson
Terry Johnson
Wilbur Johnson
Bob Tong
Hand County Highway Department Employees
USHERS
Del Van Zee
Steve Van Zee
Joe Poindexter
ORGANIST
Janice Kost
SPECIAL MUSIC
Jason Blachford
"In the Garden"
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS
"I Was There To Hear Your Borning Cry"
"Precious Lord, Take My Hand"
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We wish to extend our most sincere
condolences. She was such a good friend.
Debbie, Vicki and Ron,
Our condolences got out to all of you and your families. Arlene was a very special lady and will be missed by everyone. Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers…
Melvin & Debbie Brueggeman
I was very sorry to hear of your loss. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Ron,
So sorry to hear of your loss, you have our sympathies.
Carol and Terry
I am so sorry to hear of your loss, you will always be in my thoughts and prayers.
My mother loved her visits and letters from Arlene. She spoke often of Arlene’s kindness and her many talents. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Our sympathy to you Ron and Arlene’s family in your loss. Arlene’s memory holds fond memories for me…our mothers were friends and Justa Club members many years ago so our lives connected at a very early age. And then Arlene became my 8th grade teacher. I envied her riding a horse over on Monday’s and home again on Friday’s when weather permitted. She stayed at our home during the week-day so was my bed-partner. I liked winter-time recesses the best because we worked on jigsaw puzzles. May God bless you Ron and give you comfort. Our love, Paul & Bev
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family.
Ron, I am sorry to hear of your loss. You are in my prayers.
Dear Deb, Vicki, Virginia & Megan:
Today is your Mother-Grandmother’s funeral. We are thinking of all of you. We have been blessed to have Arlene as our Aunt for so many years. It has been a joy to be neighbors to her and Ron. So often when they had their huge garden growing like crazy, Arlene would call and say they had some “goodie” for us. She would ask us to come get it our would know on the back door and bring it in. Much appreciate. She was a beautiful woman and we’ll miss her as will all of you. Love and God Bless, Del and Ginger Van Zee
We’ll keep in touch.
Dear Ron and Family: Today we’re thinking of you. You have our deep sympathy in the loss of Arlene. We know you’re sure going to miss her as will many others. Thanks so much for being such a good neighbors to us.
We’ll miss seeing the two of you working hard in your beautiful garden and yard. Love, Del and Ginger