Funeral services for Arlene Oliver, age 76, of Lemmon, SD, will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 21, 2020 at the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Lemmon, SD.  Chaplain David Peterson and Pastor Spencer Allen will officiate.   A time of fellowship and luncheon will be held at the Beeler Community Center following the funeral.  Burial will be held at the Gallaway Cemetery in Meadow, SD.

Arlene Faye Gaaskjolen was born on January 25, 1944, in Lemmon, SD, to Vergil and Garnet (Carmichael) Gaaskjolen.  She grew up on the family farm near Meadow, SD, graduating from Lemmon High School in 1962.  Following her graduation she attended BHSU then taught at local country schools for two years.

She was united in marriage to Darwin Oliver on September 16, 1962.  Their marriage was blessed with four children, Monte, Darin, Ryan and Cody.

Arlene enjoyed her grandchildren, whom she attended their many events such as Kids Play Day, rodeos, wrestling and basketball games.  When her grandkids were small they would come to the ranch with their dad and it got to be a tradition that after dinner dishes were done, they'd go on a "hike" as the grandkids liked to climb the hills around the ranch.  They would also make crossings over the many creeks and then would sit on the rocks on the hilltops and have a snack that was packed along with them.  She also spent many hours in her yard and garden and loved flowers.  Arlene enjoyed "sisters weekends" in which her sisters-in-law claimed her as a sister.

In March of 1993, Arlene and her mother were involved in a car accident.  Although no serious injuries, it was at that time she was diagnosed with myelofibrosis (blood cancer) and was given three to five years to live.  After many trips to Mayo Clinic (26 years as of 2019) she lived with it for over 26 years.

Arlene worked many years at JC Penny's and also Miller's Clothing for several years.  She then took a job at Smith's Drug, retiring after 20 plus years.  She was called to her eternal home in heaven on Monday morning, February 17, 2020 at the St. Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck, ND.

She is survived by her husband, Darwin; four sons, Monte (Jessie), Darin (Janet), Ryan (Lacey) and Cody; four grandchildren, Jesse (Kelsey), Shay, Bailey, and Britt; one great-granddaughter, Sidney Oliver; two sisters, Lois (Vaughn) Meyer and Wava (Bruce) Gotfredson; one brother, Keith (Roxie) Gaaskjolen; sisters-in-law, Bonita (Gene) Lyon, Lynette (Ken) Even and Darlys Clark; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Garnet and Vergil Gaaskjolen; her in-laws, Dell and Luella Oliver; and a sister-in-law, Della Mae Hatle.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. followed by a family service at 7:00 p.m. all on Thursday, February 20, 2020 at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon, SD.

A memorial has been established.