Arlene Karel, 93, formerly of Salem and Sioux Falls passed away on Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at the Estelline Nursing and Care Center, Estelline, SD.   A private family funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, May 13 at 10:30 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Salem.  The service will be livestreamed and a link will be posted on Arlene’s obituary at www.kinzleyfh.com at the time of the service.  Burial will follow the service at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.

Arlene Dupuis was born August 20, 1926 the only child of Frank and Margaret (Wingen) Dupuis in Tripp County, South Dakota.  As a girl Arlene moved to Salem with her parents where she graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1944.  She worked for Central Electric and Gas Company in Salem where she met her husband of 58 years, Lad Karel.  Lad and Arlene were married on November 15, 1950 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Salem. They raised their five children in Salem before moving to Sioux Falls in 1976.  While in Salem Arlene worked for the South Dakota Driver’s License Division and sold Avon products for many years, she was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and active in the Altar Society, Catholic Order of Foresters and the Salem Study Club as well as being a Junior Foresters and Girl Scout leader.  In Sioux Falls Arlene was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, worked for Harold’s Photo Center, served on many election boards  and was a Girl Scout leader.

Arlene valued family above all things; she rarely missed the activities or parties of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was the family historian for her large extended family and loved taking and sharing pictures.

Arlene is survived by a daughter, Sandy (Calvin) Wiesner of Watertown and two sons Kevin (Kathy) of Arlington and Alan (Janet) of Salem.  Thirteen grandchildren Beth (Greg) Stoebner, Melissa (Brian) Murray, Brad (Kelsha) Kressman, Michael Karel, Shelly (Joe) Munson, Daisy (Ryan) Juttig, Shannon (Andy) Glover, Sarah (Aaron) Schmillen, Kyle (Megan) Wiesner, Robert Karel, Jim Schmeichel, Lisa Schmeichel and Jenny (Ryan) Bernin.  25 great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Lad, her parents, a son, Rollie, a daughter, Karen and a grandson, Jeremy Kressman.

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