This world became brighter on December 29, 1931, when Arlene Floy Hollenbeck was born, and again on August 8, 1932, when James Orville Beardemphl was born.  They led similar lives.  Both were the youngest of several siblings.  Both grew up in the Ashton, SD area.  Both attended high school in Ashton.  While Arlene graduated in the class ahead of Jim, their friendship in high school blossomed into a lifetime of love for 72 years.  They married on December 29, 1950, in Webster, SD.  Their adventures took them from South Dakota, to Kansas, Washington State, New Mexico, California, and Florida, and back to Washington, where they retired from Boeing in 1992 after Jim’s 40-year career.  Arlene was a homemaker and devoted her entire life to her family, wherever they lived.  Along the way they enjoyed camping and traveling, playing cards and games together, and spending time with family and friends.  Rarely were they addressed separately.  They were always “Jim and Arlene.”

   Jim and Arlene spent their final 30 years in Roswell, NM to be near their two sons and daughters-in-law, Ken and LuAnn and Scott and Sue, and their four grandchildren, Chris, Clay, Amy and Cord.  Later they delighted in adding two granddaughters-in-law, Haley and Monica, to the Beardemphl family, along with six great-grandchildren, Carson, Collin, Hadley, Harper, Graham and Keller.  Sadly, Arlene passed away on September 7, 2022, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s, and three short weeks later, Jim passed on October 4, 2022, from a broken heart.  They both lived a long and happy life of 90 years.

  There will be a graveside Celebration of Life service at 10:00 am on Saturday, September 2, at their family plot at the Ashton Cemetery in Ashton, SD, followed by a light lunch at the Ashton Community Center, 925 Main Street for family and friends.  Please join us to share your memories and stories of lives well lived.  Hyke Funeral Home in Redfield, SD has assisted the family with arrangements in South Dakota (www.hykefuneralhome.com)

“Those who touch our lives stay in our hearts forever.  Greatly loved, deeply missed.  Your lives were a blessing, your memory a treasure.  You are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure.” ~ unknown