01/08/2026
Dale Robert Arens
The 87-year adventure of Dale Robert Arens came to a peaceful close on Wednesday, January 7th, 2026, in White Lake, South Dakota. Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Will Funeral Chapel in Mitchell. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.
Dale was born on September 29th, 1938, Dale was the middle child of John and Bessie Arens of Storla, SD. He would recall stories of working on his grandpa’s farm as a child, which no doubt shaped his outstanding work ethic in life.
After graduating from Mt. Vernon High School, Dale joined the Army in 1957, where he became a medic stationed in Germany. The country left an indelible mark on him, as even years later he wished to return to see the Cologne Cathedral.
After returning from the Army, Dale enrolled in college at the University of Minnesota. After graduating, he worked at different campuses at the U of M in the Animal Research Department. Dale loved going to work and especially getting there by bicycle. For years he traveled that way as long as the weather permitted. Many times, he pushed the limits in an early spring snowstorm, no doubt loving it.
Dale began the happiest time of his life when he met Arlene Stevens and they married in 1964. Their happy union would produce three children. On Father’s Day, 1968, Dale received the best gift, his firstborn and only son, John Robert. God called John home at the young age of 24 and now father and son are together again and can catch all the Vikings games they wish. They are still waiting for a Super Bowl win.
Life was good for Dale and his family in Minneapolis. He was always fixing something around the house or building something for his kids in his workshop. He had an entire train track with a village in the basement and a wooden rocking horse that withstood all three kids. He was a dedicated father who was happily involved in all of his kids’ activities. He loved taking them sledding, ice skating, camping, and of course bike riding. He truly loved it all.
Those happy times came to an end with the passing of Arlene to cancer in 1981. With the prospect of raising three kids alone, Dale did what he did best and went to work. Being the proud man he was, he never asked for help or handouts but took on 2, sometimes 3, jobs to support his family. Times were tough, but he persevered through it all.
In 1999 Dale married Barb Johnson. They briefly lived in Wisconsin, but the warm weather was calling to Barb, so they moved to Arizona. It took a while for the South Dakota boy to get acclimated, but once he did, he embraced it. He never gave up the chance to talk about the Arizona weather; he loved saying, “that’s all it’s going to get up to today” as it reached 109 degrees. He loved the rattlesnake sightings and telling the story about the one that wrapped itself around his bicycle tire. He loved his early morning desert walks with his different dogs over the years where he would marvel at the roadrunners and jackrabbits with their long ears.
Dale and Barb loved to travel and went on many cruises and lots of adventures in their motorhome. Later in life Dale developed Alzheimer’s, but traveling was never forgotten. He was willing to take anyone to Hawaii, Germany, or Australia, all expenses paid by him of course.
Dale leaves behind his children Suzy (Eric) TerMeer of Whitewood, SD and Linda Arens of Platte, SD; grandchildren, John, Melody, Hunter, Elijah, and Jacob; great-grandchildren, Bella and Eva; brother, Lowell (Sherry) of Sioux Falls; and many other loving relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his wife and children’s mother, Arlene; wife, Barb; his son, John; sister, Beverly; and his parents, John and Bessie.
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