Arlene Boe

Arlene Boe, 95, went to meet her Lord and Savior, August 7, 2022. She passed away at Avantara in Groton, South Dakota.

Funeral Services will be Monday, August 22, 2022 at 3 P.M. at Skudesnes Lutheran Church near Pierpont, SD. and will be livestreamed on Fiksdal Funeral Service Facebook page. Burial will follow at Skudesnes Cemetery. Small luncheon will take place at the church after burial. 

Visitation will be 1-3 P.M. before the Service on August 22, 2022. 

Elsie “Arlene” (Paulson) Boe was born May 10, 1927, to Melvin and Sophie (Erickson) Paulson on the Paulson farm in Day County, SD where she joined her older brother, Harris. She grew up in the rural Pierpont area, attending Skudesnes Lutheran Church, where she was baptized on July 10, 1927, and confirmed on April 21, 1940. She also attended a small rural school, #204 in Independence Twp. through 8^th grade. She then attended high school in Pierpont in which she had to stay at a dorm with other girls during the week. She graduated in 1944 and then worked in Minneapolis, MN.

Arlene met the love of her life in high school and, after he completed his time in the Navy and the war had ended, she was united in marriage to M. Stanley Boe on December 28, 1946, at Skudesnes Lutheran Church. They made their home just half a mile across the field from her parents in rural Pierpont. To this union, one daughter, Melinda, was born November 29, 1948. But the family didn’t stop there. In 1961, they learned of the deaths of Stan’s cousin, Jean and her husband Robert Budd Anderson, leaving behind 6 children. So, in 1962 four girls came to live with them; Jeannie, Bonnie, Debbie, and Pennie. The following year, after needing to add onto their home, their two brothers also came to live with them, Bob and Terry.

Being a farm wife and mother, she was always busy. She loved chickens, but the 2000+ chickens had to go when all the extra children came. She had been selling eggs to help support the farm and buy extra land. She loved to cook, can, and was talented at sewing, refinishing furniture (bringing many old pieces back to life), arts and crafts, and remodeling when needed. She became known for her angel food cakes from scratch because of all the eggs. She sewed clothes for herself, us and even her grandchildren, including wedding gowns, bridesmaid attire, and formal gowns. Many nights she burned the midnight oil to finish an outfit.

She didn’t just keep busy on the farm. Arlene was a leader in the church and in the community. In church she was active in Sunday School, Ladies Aid, and with singing in and directing the choir. She had a beautiful voice and sang for many weddings and funerals. She had a real ear for music and passed her love of music on to all of us.

In the community she was a 4-H leader for many years. She helped many young girls learn to sew and create projects to take to the fair. Even in her 80’s she started a club in Pierpont, because some girls needed something to do. She was an active member in the Charles Young Post Unit 99 of the American Legion Auxiliary, and held many offices. She was President of the Auxiliary for many years and was instrumental in planning Memorial Day programs even into her 90’s. For many years, she read the honor roll at the Memorial Day program.

Loving all of God’s creatures, she cared for her parents, brother, uncle and helped neighbors in need. In the flood of 1967, she spearheaded donations to the city of Grand Forks, ND, filling a semi. Animals also found a soft spot in her heart. Stray animals were always fed and kept warm. Her cat, Honey Girl, held a special place in her heart and was company for her these past few years.

Arlene moved to Rosewood Court in Groton in January 2022, where she enjoyed the company of other women there. She passed away at the Avantara Nursing Home in Groton on August 7, 2022.

Arlene is survived by her children, Melinda Eikamp of Groton, Robert(Barbara) Anderson II of Pierpont, Terry(Sheila) Anderson of Aberdeen, Jeannie(Ken) Kirkland of Valdez, Alaska, Bonnie(Michael) Thiel of Valdez, Alaska, Debbie (Elroy)Olson of Pierpont, Pennie(Ross) McIntosh of Pierpont; Grandchildren, Christine(Troy) Doeden of Beresford, SD, Jill(Paul) McCorkle of Olathe, KS, Robert Budd(Erin) Anderson III of Rapid City, Eric Anderson of Pierpont, Kyle(Jennifer)Anderson of Baltic, Tina Anderson(Medhat Elzahar) of Cairo, Egypt, Kelly Anderson of Sturgis, Bethany Johnson of Covington, Georgia, Michael Thiel Jr of Phoenix, Az, Nicholas(Bethany)Thiel of Phoenix, Az., Camille(Ross) Woltjer of Sweden, Nathan(Sara)Olson, Langford, Alicia(Al) Helbig of Pierre, Ashlee(Jaye) Grant of Tallahassee, Florida, Micah(Sarah) McIntosh of Pierpont, Forrest McIntosh of Pierpont, Lorne(Mary)Mcintosh of Laredo, Tx, Garrett McIntosh of Austin, Tx; 41 great grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Stan; parents, Melvin and Sophie; brother, Harris; grandson, Dustin Anderson; son-in-law, Leonard Eikamp Jr and grandson-in-law, Travis Johnson.