Arlyce Rathbun

Arlyce Bernice Rathbun was born on May 30th, 1927 to Martin and Christine (Ellingson) Romsaas on the farm north of Pickerel Lake, SD. After graduating from Sisseton High School, Arlyce continued her education at the University of South Dakota graduating with a teaching certificate in 1951. Arlyce married Charles Rathbun on January 28th, 1950, at Vermillion. They lived in Rapid City a short time until returning to Webster for the remainder of their married life. Arlyce moved to Sioux Falls in 1978. In 1995 she began wintering in Phoenix and spending summers at her beloved Pickerel Lake. Arlyce was a member of St. Johns Lutheran Church in Webster where she taught Sunday School and directed Junior Choir, sang in Senior Choir and was involved in Ladies Aid and Progressive Reading Circle. She was also active for many years with Jaycee-ettes, Girl Scouts, Eastern Star, Jobs Daughters, PEO and Webster Golf Club. Arlyce died peacefully on Saturday, July 31, 2010 at Sanford Hospital, Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 83 years, 2 months and 1 day. She is survived by her children: Mark (Terry) Rathbun of Sioux Falls; Kris (Kent) Hanson of Verona, WI; Bret (Lisa) Rathbun of Ft. Benning, GA; Stacy (Robert Kelsey) Rathbun of Eugene, OR and six grandchildren: Kathryn and Rebecca Rathbun, Kelsey and Kade Hanson, Evan and Alex Rathbun, her sister, Coyla Anderson, Madison, WI; two nieces, Collette (Robert) Halford of Chippewa Falls, WI; and Karen (Peter) Tegen of Poynette, WI; plus many other friends and relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and sister Bernice. Arlyce was an independent spirit, concerned about others, a monumental grandmother, loving mother and caring friend. Her servant heart and deep faith were uplifting to all who came in contact with her.