Joyce Arneson

Joyce Arneson, 94, of Faulkton passed away Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at Ava’s House, Sioux Falls.

Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, October 5, 2026, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Faulkton with Father John Short as the celebrant. Burial will follow in St. Thomas Catholic Cemetery in Faulkton. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.

Clara Joyce Bachmayer was born May 27, 1932, to Jacob and Ida (Stoppleworth) Bachmayer in Faulkton, South Dakota. She attended school in Faulkton, graduating as valedictorian of the Class of 1950. During her high school years, she was active in music, declamation, and journalism.

In the fall of 1950, Joyce attended Northern State Teachers College.

Joyce was united in marriage to Reuben Harris Arneson on December 26, 1950. Together, they raised four sons: Bruce, Bryan, Neal, and Mark.

Reuben was employed as a topographic engineer with the U.S. Geological Survey, and the family lived in several states, including Arkansas, North Dakota, Louisiana, Texas, Florida, Michigan, Kansas, and South Dakota.

In June 1956, the family moved to Faulkton, where Reuben became actively involved in the management of Bachmayer Lumber Company, a position he held until his death on March 8, 1982.

In 1970, Joyce began working as a bookkeeper at Bachmayer Lumber, where she remained until the business was sold in June 1983.

In June 1984, Joyce began working as a deputy register of deeds for Faulk County. She later resigned from that position to become the full-time secretary at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Faulkton.

Joyce was active in many community organizations. She served as past president of the Faulkton Area Arts Council and held various offices in Court St. Monica Catholic Daughters of the Americas and the Foncannon Unit of the American Legion Auxiliary. She was also active on the Faulk County Library Board, the Faulkton VFW Auxiliary, and the Faulk County Historical Society.

She was an active member of St. Thomas Catholic Church, serving as a lay minister, organist, and choir director. Joyce also enjoyed participating in the Faulkton Community Theater, taking part in several musical productions.

Joyce is survived by her sons: Bruce (France) of Edgewater, Maryland; Bryan (Wini) of Sioux City, Iowa; Neal (Jodi) of Brandon, South Dakota; and Mark (Tam) of Lincoln, Nebraska; grandchildren: Elise Arneson (Matt Doyle), Jason Arneson, and Adam Flohr (Maggie Sweeny); and seven nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and her siblings and their spouses: Karl (Miriam) Bachmayer, Romauld (Lee) Bachmayer, Katherine (Hank) Henebry, and Alice (Leonard) Palmquist.

Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Joyce’s arrangements.