IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Florence Alma
Lemm Arehart
October 18, 1920 – May 19, 2018
Obituary
Florence Alma (Tubandt) (Lemm) Arehart passed away on Saturday, May 19, 2018 from natural causes at the age of 97 at Edgewood Vista Assisted Living Center in Spearfish, South Dakota.
Florence was born on October 18, 1920 on the Tubandt family farm in Tulare, SD to Walter Adolph and Alma Marie (Anderson) Tubandt. She lived on the farm until she graduated from Redfield High School in 1937 at the age of 16. She had to wait until she turned 18 to attend nursing school in Minneapolis in the fall of 1939 at Eigel Hospital. Florence was diagnosed with TB in 1941 and left nursing school and was initially treated at Glen Lake, Minnesota but then was admitted to the South Dakota State Sanatorium for Tuberculosis.
While at Sanator, Florence met her husband, Walden Chester Lemm, who also suffered from TB. While recuperating she worked at Sanator as a nurse for 4 to 6 hours per day. She and Walden married in 1943 while residing at Sanator. They subsequently had three sons: Richard Walden 1944, David Bruce 1946, and Douglas Harold 1949. In 1944, Walden was hired by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the couple moved to the Edgemont area and resided at the Heppner Ranch, the Harry and Vina Porter Ranch, and Jack Manke's Ranch for several years. Next, they moved to Harrison, Nebraska for one year and later to the Belle Fourche area, where they took up residence on the Gilbert Ranch in Butte County for seven years. They relocated to Nisland, SD for three years before settling in Spearfish in 1957.
As a devoted employee at JC Penney in Spearfish, Florence eagerly befriended and served the community for 21 years. Walden passed away from a sudden heart attack in 1976 shortly after retiring from U.S. Fish and Wildlife. Florence married Harold Dean Arehart in 1980. Harold and Florence had a wonderful marriage of 14 years, and experienced many happy adventures exploring the country in their motorhome. These adventures created many cherished memories, and Florence was always more than happy to cook every fish the grandchildren caught, no matter how big or small. Harold passed away in 1994.
Florence has always had a servant's heart and was a very active and giving member of the community. She has been a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Spearfish for 61 years. She volunteered at the Dorsett Home, the Spearfish Senior Center, Spearfish Regional Hospital Auxiliary and Hospice. Florence enjoyed gardening and could make anything green grow. She loved all flowers; however, peonies are her favorite. Camping, embroidery, crossword puzzles, word jumbles and playing cards were activities she enjoyed. Florence was known for her expertise at Cribbage, Gin Rummy, Whist, Pinochle, Yahtzee and Blackjack. She was an amazing cook and is remembered for her delicious homemade bread, legendary pies, heavenly caramel pecan rolls, and savory antelope gravy. Florence's peanut brittle was loved by everyone. Florence, lovingly referred to as Grandmother Dear, is also known for her loving and caring nature and her tendency to treat everyone as family. No matter the circumstance she lived with grace and beauty and inspired other to do the same.
While at Sanator, Florence met her husband, Walden Chester Lemm, who also suffered from TB. While recuperating she worked at Sanator as a nurse for 4 to 6 hours per day. She and Walden married in 1943 while residing at Sanator. They subsequently had three sons: Richard Walden 1944, David Bruce 1946, and Douglas Harold 1949. In 1944, Walden was hired by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the couple moved to the Edgemont area and resided at the Heppner Ranch, the Harry and Vina Porter Ranch, and Jack Manke's Ranch for several years. Next, they moved to Harrison, Nebraska for one year and later to the Belle Fourche area, where they took up residence on the Gilbert Ranch in Butte County for seven years. They relocated to Nisland, SD for three years before settling in Spearfish in 1957.
As a devoted employee at JC Penney in Spearfish, Florence eagerly befriended and served the community for 21 years. Walden passed away from a sudden heart attack in 1976 shortly after retiring from U.S. Fish and Wildlife. Florence married Harold Dean Arehart in 1980. Harold and Florence had a wonderful marriage of 14 years, and experienced many happy adventures exploring the country in their motorhome. These adventures created many cherished memories, and Florence was always more than happy to cook every fish the grandchildren caught, no matter how big or small. Harold passed away in 1994.
Florence has always had a servant's heart and was a very active and giving member of the community. She has been a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Spearfish for 61 years. She volunteered at the Dorsett Home, the Spearfish Senior Center, Spearfish Regional Hospital Auxiliary and Hospice. Florence enjoyed gardening and could make anything green grow. She loved all flowers; however, peonies are her favorite. Camping, embroidery, crossword puzzles, word jumbles and playing cards were activities she enjoyed. Florence was known for her expertise at Cribbage, Gin Rummy, Whist, Pinochle, Yahtzee and Blackjack. She was an amazing cook and is remembered for her delicious homemade bread, legendary pies, heavenly caramel pecan rolls, and savory antelope gravy. Florence's peanut brittle was loved by everyone. Florence, lovingly referred to as Grandmother Dear, is also known for her loving and caring nature and her tendency to treat everyone as family. No matter the circumstance she lived with grace and beauty and inspired other to do the same.
Florence is preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Alma Tubandt, and brothers, Harold, Bernard, Lester and Virgil Tubandt. Florence is survived by her sons, Richard "Dick" Lemm (Robin) Story, WY, David Lemm (Evelyn) Eureka, CA, Doug Lemm (Rebecca) Bella Vista, AR, Dave Arehart (Janelle) Whitewood, SD; devoted family friend, Kelly Deis of Spearfish; grandchildren: Julie Lemm, Jamie (Lemm) Ferman, Richard Lemm Jr, Mike Lemm, Trisha (Lemm) Jordan, Kelli (Todd) Thacker, Josh Lemm, Luke Lemm, Matt Lemm, Ginger (Arehart) Smith, Uriah Arehart, and Aaron Arehart; 44 great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.
Florence was preceded in death by step-son, John Arehart and is survived by step- daughters, Ruth Arehart, Kathy Arehart, and Cindy (Arehart) Rigsby.
A celebration of Florence's life will be held on Wednesday, May 23, 2018 at 2:00pm at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Spearfish, South Dakota, with interment to follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Spearfish. A reception will follow the burial at Our Savior's Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Spearfish Senior Center or Debra's Circle (at Our Savior's Lutheran Church.)
Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Florence Alma Lemm Arehart, please visit our flower store.
Services
Celebration of Life
May
23
Our Savior's Lutheran Church
Starts at 2:00 pm
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