SIOUX FALLS — Lucille “Arlene” Jockheck, 97, of Sioux Falls, and formerly of Huron area, passed away peacefully at Ava’s Hospice House in Sioux Falls on Tuesday, December 12, 2023.

Her Funeral Service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 21, at Hitchcock Methodist Church in Hitchcock, with burial to follow at Altoona Cemetery in Hitchcock.

Visitation, with her family present will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20, at Miller Funeral Home Westside Chapel in Sioux Falls; or visitation, one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday morning.  

Lucille “Arlene” (Palmer) Jockheck was born on Feb. 8, 1926, on the family farm east of Bonilla. She was the fourth of eight children born to Hugh and Lefa Palmer and was their first girl. Arlene graduated in 1944 from Bonilla High School. During her high school days, she met Fred “Fritz” Jockheck while on a double date with her sister, Alice. They were married on Nov. 8, 1944. Fritz and Arlene farmed in the Bonilla area until 1961 when they moved to Spencer and operated the Banty Bar until 1965 when they moved to Mitchell. In 1972, Fritz’s job took them to Colombus, Ohio. In 1981 they returned to South Dakota and lived in the Rapid City area until 1991. In 1991, they finally returned and moved to Huron. Fritz passed away in 2002 and Arlene moved to Sioux Falls to be closer to family.

Arlene was active and had her own apartment right up to the end. She loved being with people and was always ready to celebrate whether it was Christmas, Thanksgiving, a grandchild’s birthday or just Sunday dinner. Arlene’s philosophy was “the more the merrier.” She loved helping others, while in Ohio, she and Fritz were foster parents and impacted the lives of many children.

While living in Sioux Falls, she volunteered as a Senior Companion earning many awards including the presidential volunteer of the year award. She always said she enjoyed taking care of old people even though she was older than most of her clients. If you were lucky, you had been gifted with some of her embroidery work. She also loved to play cards, especially pitch. You always wanted to be her partner.

Arlene had six children: Leland (Vicki) of Ionia, Mich., Allen (Ruth) of Ft. Pierre, Vicky (Ken) Kirby of Sioux Falls, Rita (Jack) Wilhelm of Faulkton, Marla (Jim) Wolterstorff of Park Rapids, Minn., and David (Jackie) of Sioux Falls; 17 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Lois (Roger) Kouf of Watertown; and her brother, Dallas (Sandy) Palmer of Wolsey; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded by her parents; her husband, Fritz in 2002; one great-grandchild, and two great-great-grandchildren; four brothers, Leland, Elwood, Leon, and Duane; one sister, Alice Cartee.

Cards and memorials may be sent to Vicky Kirby at 2232 S. Sadie Ave., Sioux Falls, S.D. 57106

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