Arla Mae Johnson, 82, Mt. Vernon, died Tuesday, March 12, 2019, in Avera Queen of Peace Hospital.

Visitation with a prayer service was Sunday, March 17, at Will Funeral Chapel in Mitchell. The funeral was Monday, March 18, at Storla Lutheran Church. Burial was in Victor Cemetery near Mount Vernon. 

Arla was born July 12, 1936, in Sioux Falls to Peder and Clara Endahl and grew up on her parents’ farm in Jerauld County. She was baptized in 1936 and confirmed in the Lutheran faith.  Arla attended Jerauld County elementary schools and graduated from Lane High School. She graduated from Augustana College in June 1956 and was an elementary teacher in Tyndall.  

On March 22, 1958, Arla married Delbert Clayton Johnson at the Salem Lutheran Church in Mt. Vernon. They were members of the Victor Lutheran Church of rural Mount Vernon until it’s closure, and then they transferred their membership to Storla Lutheran Church in Aurora County. 

Arla had very fond memories of her trips to Norway with her cousin who was like a brother, Art Ovrelid of Sioux Falls, his wife, Marcy, and their wonderful daughters and grandchildren in the United States and the rest of the family in Norway. She was a member of the Mt. Vernon American Legion Auxiliary and enjoyed the regular Tuesday noon meals and fellowship at the Senior Center. She had recently become a Charter Member of the Mt. Vernon Area Historical Society.

She is survived by a daughter, Linda S. Miller, of Mt. Vernon; three grandchildren; two great-granddaughters, and other dear relatives. 

Arla was preceded in death by her husband, Delbert; her parents; uncles; aunts; and other relatives in America and Norway.

Max E. Erwin, 92, of Woonsocket and formerly of Hot Springs, passed away on Friday, March 1, 2019 at Prairie View Healthcare Community in Woonsocket.

A memorial service in spring 2019 is being planned with burial at Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis.

Max Edward Erwin was born on Feb. 20, 1927 in Wellsville, Mo. to parents Edward L. and Mary E. (Kuhne) Erwin. Max graduated from Humboldt High School in Kansas in 1945. He enlisted in the Army and served in Germany during World War II. Max then attended Barber school in Minneapolis.

Max married Mavis M. Stembaugh in Aurora, S.D. on June 14, 1950. Max and Mavis lived in Hot Springs where Max served as a barber from 1950 to 2017.

Max was a member of the American Legion, VFW, Lions, Elks, and United Churches. In his free time, he enjoyed golfing, going on walks and coffee time.

Max is survived by his son, Greg (Suzanne) Erwin of Woonsocket; two grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Evelyn (Wesley) McCaskell of Rapid City; and brother-in-law, Virgil Stembaugh of Flandreau.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mavis, in 2011; his parents; and his brother, Bill.

Dorothy O’Riley, 92, of Woonsocket, passed away Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, at the Weskota Manor in Wessington Springs.

In accordance with Dorothy’s wishes, there will be no services. Burial will be at a later date.

Dorothy was born June 24, 1926, in Jerauld County to Harry and Olive Powell. She graduated high school and college in Wessington Springs and taught country school for four years in Jerauld County.

She was united in marriage to Clifford O’Riley on June 24, 1949. The couple moved to Mitchell, where she worked for Northwest Manufacturing. Later, they moved to Woonsocket, where Clifford worked for Intercounty Electric. When their kids grew older, she worked at the Sanborn County Nurses office. She and Clifford also owned and operated the Rex Theater in Woonsocket for several years. She enjoyed collecting dolls, playing Bingo and rummaging. 

She is survived by her children, Gary (Barb) O’Riley of Huron, Brenda Fagerhaug of Wessington Springs, Bonnie (Rick) Muller of Mitchell and Karla (John) Olson of Lakeville, Minn.; nine grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford; son-in-law, Allen Fagerhaug; one grandchild; one great-grandchild; and siblings, Roland and Doris.