Arlan Albert Selland, 86, of Mitchell and formerly of Letcher, died on Monday, April 29, 2019, at the Avera Queen of Peace Hospital.

Funeral services were held Friday, May 3, at First Lutheran Church in Mitchell, followed by military rites at the church. A private family burial was held at the Trinity Cemetery, rural Storla. Visitation was held on Thursday, May 2, at First Lutheran Church with a prayer service. Arrangements were under the direction of the Will Funeral Chapel.

Arlan was born on Dec. 29, 1932, in rural Letcher to Albert and Mildred (Hetland) Selland, where they lived on a farm. Arlan attended Leet Grade School and then Letcher High School, where he graduated in 1951. Following high school, Arlan started classes at Augustana College in Sioux Falls. After two years, he enlisted in the Army where he was stationed at Ft. Meade, Md., as an SP3. Arlan then returned to complete his degree in Business Administration from Augustana College in 1957.

Following college, Arlan and his brother, Doyle, returned to join their parents in a cattle-feeding operation. They operated a third generation business known as Albert J. Selland & Sons. Arlan married Barbara Ann Boswell on June 8, 1963. Arlan and Barb resided in rural Letcher where they had three children.

Seeing a need within the trucking industry, Arlan and Doyle purchased a couple of semi-trucks. Barb was recruited to dispatch the trucks and Selland Trucking was started. The business was operated out of their home as it grew in size. It was a joy for Arlan to watch the transition of the trucking company to their son, Barry Selland, and to oversee the farming operations of his land. 

Through his career, Arlan was a well-known cattle buyer within South Dakota where he traveled the sale barn networks daily. Arlan developed many relationships through the cattle industry. Upon retirement, Arlan and Barb relocated to their current home in Mitchell. 

Over the years, he was active within his church, serving in various leadership roles within Storla Lutheran Church. After moving to Mitchell, Arlan and Barb joined First Lutheran Church.

Arlan is survived by his wife, Barbara Ann (Boswell) Selland; his children, Judd (Kay) Selland of Duluth, Minn., Barry (Shelly) Selland of Forestburg, and Jennifer (Brian) Feistner of Woonsocket; six grandchildren; his brother, Doyle (Sonja) Selland; Barb’s siblings and their spouses, Pete Boswell, Helen Sageser, Buck (Jeanette) Boswell, Marie Dame, and Joe Boswell.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters and their spouses, Lucille (Dan) Fraser and Shirley (Dale) Anderson; and Barb’s siblings and their spouses, Harriet (Marcus) Cable, Mable (Earl) Holland, Cecil Sageser, and Frances Boswell.