Notes:
Arlene Albertus, 85 of Pierre, died on Saturday, November 27 at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, MN. Visitation will be from 5-6:30 PM, Wednesday, December 1 at Isburg Funeral Chapel with a Prayer Service at 6:30PM, Wednesday, December 1 at our chapel. Services will be at 2:00 pm Thursday, December 2 at the First United Methodist Church. Inurnment will be at a later date at Black Hills National Cemetery
Arlene Lucille Telford was born September 13, 1925, to Pearl and Merna (Emeigh)Telford in Onida, South Dakota. As World War I was ending, Pearl and Merna settled down in Fiedler Bottom along the Missouri River and started their family.
Her sister Iris was born in 1918, followed by Phyllis, Evelyn, Marie, Kenneth, Arlene, Gene, Merle and Tommy.
Even in her early years Arlene had a great love of life, music, and dancing. Her passion for singing brought joy to all who knew her.
Her children (and grandchildren) were sometimes embarrassed as she walked down Main Street singing away, but as they grew older they also came to love her happy, singing spirit.
She possessed a wonderful wit and playful sense of humor. She was definitely fun to be with.
On June 7, 1946, Arlene and Ferdinand Albertus were joined in marriage at the First United Methodist Church in Pierre, SD. They lived in Brookings, SD, for a short time while Ferd finished his engineering degree and then Watertown before moving back to Pierre where they started Hull & Albertus Electric with her sister Iris and brother-in-law Elwin.
Arlene always wanted a big family. She would say, "If you have one baby you might as well have two! If you have two, you might as well have three!! And four is just right!" She lost her first two children early in the pregnancies.
"M" was born on July 11, 1950. "R"came into the world on March 24, 1953. One year later, on July 6, 1954, "G"was born. "G.G" joined the family on February 21, 1956.
Arlene was a very loving mother, wife, daughter, Grandma, Aunt, sister and friend. Actually, it was more than that, she adored and celebrated her children and family.
Most days you would find her happy, singing, thinking up one adventure after another: swimming, hiking, camping, sailing milk carton boats across Capital Lake, watching the stars, dressing like a hobo to walk down town for Crazy Days, having Abraham, the family dog join her and the kids in the restaurant for a dish of ice cream, setting up haunted house mazes for Halloween, playing tricks on people, it was one thing after another.
She loved to hike the prairie hills with her children and grandchildren introducing them to the rocks, snakes, birds, prairie dogs and gophers. "Tralalala twittledee there's peace and goodwill, as welcome as the flowers on Mockin' Bird Hill."
Arlene loved God with all her heart and soul and mind. She was deeply involved in the First United Methodist church, singing in the choir and participating in many Bible study and prayer groups.
She regularly attended summer church camps with her family at Lake Poinsett and Storm Mountain in the Black Hills of South Dakota. She loved camping and cooking breakfast in the park. It was her dream to serve on the mission field and in 1971, she traveled to South America with her family and John Grinager to work with Pastor Lopez at his mission in Argentina.
Arlene's health had been declining since sustaining a brain injury in 2002. Even as her body began to fail, her strong spirit and faith in the love of God continued to sustain her and benefit those around her. She loved her family, the Methodist Church, and the open spaces of South Dakota.
Her parents, sisters, Iris, Phyllis, Evelyn, Marie, and brothers, Kenny and Tommy precede Arlene in death.
The family sends their deepest appreciation to Dr. Kevin C. Nepsund at Health Partners Woodbury Clinic and the St. Paul Regions Hospital Palliative Care Team.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the First United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, Box 579, Pierre, SD, 57501. Cards may be sent in care of Gloria Albertus, 1410 E Erskine, Pierre, SD, 57501.