SIOUX FALLS — Arnold “Arny” David Anderson, age 94, of Sioux Falls, formerly of Huron and Custer, died June 15, 2025.
Visitation with family present will be held Sunday, June 22, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Miller Southside Chapel, Sioux Falls. Committal service with military rites and burial will be held Monday, June 23, at noon at South Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Sioux Falls.
Guests are encouraged to arrive at the cemetery 10 minutes ahead of time.
Arnold was born February 27, 1931, in Huron to Reynold and Laura (Larson) Anderson. He graduated from Huron High School in 1949. In 1951 He married Donna Boone. They had one daughter, Brenda. They divorced in 1955.
He served his country in the United States Army from 1952 to 1954 during the Korean War. He was a Sergeant First Class in the 96th Field Artillery Battalion in Korea. He was honorably discharged and moved to Minneapolis, where he became a Cabinet Maker at Conrad Manufacturing.
In 1955, he walked into a Huron bank and the teller who cashed his check turned out to be the love of his life! He married her, Dolores (Dee) Schaffer, in 1956. They lived in Minneapolis and had two children, Rhonda and Deanna. In 1964, they moved back to Huron. He worked as an Electrician for Passenheim Electric, Huron Manufacturing, and Forward Inc., and purchased Woody’s Trailer Court, which they owned and operated until 1997, when they retired and moved to Custer. He was a member of Sons of Norway, Huron Dance Club, and First Presbyterian Church where he sang in the choir for many years.
Arny was a proud Veteran, and instrumental in locating and organizing many Army reunions of his wartime buddies. Because of this, he and Dee made many travels around the USA, London, England, and re-visit trips to South Korea. He was a Life Member of the American Legion, VFW, Korean War Veterans Association, and DAV. He served his community as Commander of the American Legion Post 7, VFW Post 1776, and 40 et 8.
His hobbies included fishing, hunting, and coin collecting.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Woodrow, sister Doris, daughter Brenda, 1 niece and 1 grandchild.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years Dee; his children, Rhonda (Clarence) Mellang and Deanna (Ed) VanDerWolde; grandchildren, Michael (Katie) Mellang, Kristin (Mack) Grimes, Nicole (Alex) Muchow, Brooklyn VanDerWolde, Greg Pitts, DJ Pitts, Dwayne Pitts, Ryan Shadbolt, and families; great-granddaughter Chelsea Mellang; and three nieces and families.
