Harlan Tlustos, age 81, of Sioux Falls, native of rural Forestburg and formerly of Plainview, Minn. died peacefully and surrounded by his family Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013 in Avera Heart Hospital following complications from heart surgery on Nov. 14.
Funeral Services will be Thursday, Dec. 12 at 11 a.m. in Bittner Funeral Home, Mitchell with burial in Mount Pleasant Cemetery at Artesian. Burial memorials will be forwarded to feed the hungry at the Union Gospel Mission in Sioux Falls.
Arrangements are by Bittner Funeral Chapel.
Harlan Wesley Tlustos was born March 5, 1932 in rural Sanborn County to Clarence and Linda (Dodd) Tlustos of rural Forestburg. Harlan was an only child, and following early years on a place along the James River, the family purchased a farm two miles east of Forestburg. He was a dedicated student, graduating as valedictorian of the Forestburg class of 1950.
Among friends and family he was known for his love of old-time music and playing piano at parties and dances.
Following two years at South Dakota State College, he entered the U.S. Army and before leaving for Europe married his high school sweetheart, Joyce Matthews, on April 3, 1953 in Alexandria, Va.
Following honorable discharge and a Bachelor of Science  in agriculture and chemistry and Masters in Education Administration from SDSC, he began a distinguished career in Education Administration in Forestburg and Artesian, Garden City, Minn. and for his final 20 years in Plainview, Minn.
Harlan and Joyce retired to Sioux Falls in 1988, caring for their parents, spending many winters in Rio Grande Valley and enjoying many happy years with family.
He was a life member of the American Legion and VFW.
Harlan is survived by Joyce, his wife of over 60 years; three sons, Mike (Jean), Joe (Joan) and Bruce, all of Sioux Falls;  grandchildren, Sam of St. Paul Minn., Dan, Kyle (Heather) and Linda of Sioux Falls,  Tomas, Missouri; and two great-grandchildren.