Arlene M. McFarlane
Arlene Mary McFarlane went home to the Lord on June 27, 2025, at Ava’s House, surrounded by loved ones. The family will be present to greet friends for visitation from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory. A Liturgical Wake Service will begin at 7:00 pm followed by the Holy Rosary. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 am on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at St. Lambert Catholic Church, Sioux Falls, SD. Interment will take place at Hills of Rest Cemetery, Sioux Falls, SD.
Arlene Mary Heinemann was born on June 21, 1931, to Norbert and Agnes Heinemann—the third of ten kids— and grew up on a farm in Dell Rapids. Life growing up was loud, busy, and full of love. After moving to Sioux Falls, she married Russell McFarlane in 1954, and the two of them quickly built a life full of family, friends, and traditions that would carry on for generations. They had four kids—Terry (Deb), Sue, Tom (Jodi), and Teresa (Al)—and moved into the house they’d stay in forever in 1957, right next door to the Dellmans, who quickly became their lifelong friends.
But if you asked Ar, she’d probably tell you that one of her absolute favorite roles in life was being a grandma. And she was that grandma—the one who made everything special. She’d haul us around town without complaint, show up at the pool with popcorn in hand, and take every single one of our fish off the hook. She made us feel loved in the biggest and smallest ways, and somehow always knew how to show up exactly when we needed her. She will be greatly missed by her 12 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.
Arlene was joyfully in constant motion. She spent her time working at McDonald’s for 45 years, and could wrap a breakfast burrito faster than you could blink, as a charter member of St. Lambert Catholic Church, she filled her days with a myriad of guilds and groups. One of her proudest accomplishments was helping to start the church rummage sale alongside friend Alice Blumhoff. But her happiest place was anywhere with Russ and her family—especially Lake Madison, where she spent every weekend she could singing, cooking, laughing, hanging with dear friends Judi and Marilyn, and catching every sunset she could. She was also a die-hard rummager, always on the hunt for treasures with her neighbor and friend, Karen Larson.
Arlene had this incredible way of making everyone feel like they mattered. She was devout in her faith and her love for family—and if she knew you long enough to remember your name, you were family too. She was a stranger to no one. She taught us a lot over the years, but the things we’ll carry most are her reminders to watch every sunset, not take things too seriously, and to love your people as hard as you can, for as long as you can.
She missed Russ deeply, and while we’re heartbroken she’s gone, we’re also at peace knowing they’re back together again. There’s probably already a pot of coffee brewing…they have a lot to catch up on.
Grateful for having shared her life are her children, Terry (Deb) McFarlane of Sioux Falls, SD, Sue King of Sioux Falls, SD, Tom (Jodi) McFarlane of Sioux Falls, SD, Teresa (Al) Jones of Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren, Josh (Katie) McFarlane, John (Kim) McFarlane, Danyel (Wes) Geier, Jenna (Mark) DiMaria-King, Paul (Maggie) King, Kaylee King, Amanda (Dave) McFarlane-Schuh, Janice (Josh) Stroschein, Sara (Terry) Prouty, Casie McFarlane, Lindsey (Brandon) Nelson, and Austin Jones; 22 great grandchildren; sisters, Janice Kritzer of Nevada and Ethel Ketelsleger of Oklahoma; special friend, Mary Dellman; and many dear relatives and friends.
Arlene was preceded in death by her husband, Russell; parents, Norbert and Agnes (Moes) Heinemann, sisters, Kay, Shirley, Mary, Viviene, and Evelyn; and brothers, Bob and Jerry.