Arlene Nelles

Arlene Nelles, age 97 died Sunday, April 28, 2024 at Good Samaritan Society, Scotland. A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 1 at Scotland Community Church. Visitation is from 10 a.m. until service time. Inurnment will be in St. George Catholic Cemetery, Scotland.

Arlene L. Hajek was born December 13, 1926, along with her twin brother, to Frank and Vlasta Hajek. She attended country grade schools Bambas and Daisy Valley, Tyndall, SD. Her graduation in 1944 was from Tyndall High School. After graduation she worked at the Social Security Office in Tyndall until she married Raymond W. Hamberger, January 8, 1947. From this marriage, three children were born, Ronald, Constance and Barbara. They lived in Mitchell, while Ray attended Business College at Dakota Wesleyan University. After graduating, they moved to the family farm south and west of Scotland. After farming for several years, the family moved to Chamberlain and then to Sioux Falls. In 1962 Ray and Arlene purchased the Coast to Coast Store in Scotland. After Ray passed away in 1968, Arlene and Ron continued to operate the hardware store until Arlene retired in 1991. 

In 1978 Arlene wed Don Nelles. Arlene and Don spent many weekends camping and fishing. Arlene had 2 proud angler walleyes that she caught in the Missouri River. They spent many winters in Arizona and Port Aransas, Texas. Many days were spent golfing at the Naval Station at Corpus Christi, Texas. They both loved watching the big ships come in and out of the port, along with eating and dancing many nights. They came back to South Dakota permanently in 2014. 

Arlene is survived by her daughters, Connie Nelson and Barb (Larry) Hubbling; her sister, Carol (Duane) Grimme; 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Preceding her in death is her first husband, Ray; her second husband, Don; her son, Ron; her parents and siblings.