Arlo Mae Schuurmans

Arlo Schuurmans lived her life with grace, love, and above all faith. She passed away peacefully on September 30, 2023 at the age of 92.

Visitation will be held 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., with a 7 p.m. prayer service, Thursday, October 5 at St. Leo Catholic Church in Tyndall. Her funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 6 at St. Leo. Interment will be at St. Leo Catholic Cemetery.

On May 12, 1931, Arlo Mae was born to Anton and Mary (Hajek) Bambas in Tyndall, South Dakota. She was an only child and attended school in Tyndall. Prior to marriage, she worked at the Cozy Theater, Marek’s Cafe, and for Ann Ryan abstractor. She also served as deputy Register of Deeds and worked at the ASCS office in Yankton. Arlo met the love of her life in high school and they were even homecoming king and queen of the class of 1949. Arlo was united in marriage to Wayne Edward Schuurmans on February 25, 1952 at St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Tyndall. While Wayne served in the army, they resided in Fort Sills, Oklahoma.

Upon return from the service they made their home on the farm just west of town where they have resided ever since. Together they raised five children. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.

For Arlo, the kitchen was the heart of her home. She always had room for one more for dinner. The coffee pot was always on and she welcomed anyone that came. She loved to bake, especially her wonderful cinnamon rolls and donuts. Gardening, canning, and butchering chickens were all part of her farm wife life that she treasured.

Nothing made her happier than to throw a great party, from over-the-top birthday parties for her children, to hosting her daughter’s weddings, to parties with friends and of course 5 p.m. social hour. Arlo found much joy in the friendships she made in her card clubs, bowling leagues, and the exercise classes she held in her home. Her smile was infectious and her laugh memorable.

Arlo was very active in the community. She belonged to the ZCBJ Lodge, Altar Society, Good Samaritan Guild, Chapter AZ PEO, American Legion Auxiliary, St Leo Funeral Choir and the swimming pool committee/fund raising style shows.

Arlo is survived by her loving husband of 71 years, Wayne; and her children, Terry (Barb) Schuurmans of Avon, Mike (Karen) Schuurmans of Sioux Falls, Sandi (Greg) Lower of Columbus, NE, Kris (Rick) Hansen of Moorpark, CA and Scott (Leslie) Schuurmans of Tyndall; 14 grandchildren, Lexi (Jamie) Petrick, Matt (Kristy) Spawn, Michelle (Brad) Ternus, Shannon (Joe) Eckert, Joci (Dallas) Bratton. Nicole (Kevin) Pick, Jeff (Becky) Schuurmans, Steve (Nadia) Spawn, Jaclyn (Keith) Dvoracek, Kate (Josh) Gregg, Kendal Kappeler, Sam Hansen, Brittany (Tyler) Van Winkle and Paige Schuurmans; 30 great-grandchildren, Madison, Dylan, Braden, Peyton, Amber, Dru, Austin, Caden, Rachel, Spencer, Bayli, Kinsley, Easton, Kolby, Paisley, Max, Carter, Bentley, Quinn, Taya, Aanya, Lainey, Lukas, Noah, Kolton, Jaycee, Gabe, Sasha, Coy and Annie.

Arlo was preceded in death by her parents, Anton and Mary Bambas; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bill and Irene Schuurmans; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Virgil and Maxine Schuurmans and son-in-law, Bernie Johansen.

In remembrance of Arlo’s life, the family asks that any memorial tributes be made in the form of charitable donations to St. Leo Catholic Cemetery.