Arla M. (Simons) Ailts died in her home in Sioux Falls at age 90 surrounded by her family on June 15, 2019.
Arla Margaret was born in Flandreau on December 10, 1928, to Walter and Stella (Scarvie) Simons. She grew up on a farm with her much-loved brother, Waldo, and her adored sister, Audrey. Arla graduated from Flandreau High School. She then attended the Sioux Valley Hospital School of Nursing and became a registered nurse in 1950. She married Gerald Edward Ailts on August 27, 1950. Gerald and Arla then proceeded to raise seven children on farms near Flandreau.
Her greatest heartbreak was the loss of her husband Gerald who passed away at the age of 52. With her typical strength and determination, Arla remained on the farm and continued to raise her family. Eventually, she renewed her nursing license and spent many years as a home health nurse, where she brightened the lives of those she cared for with her kind and loving manner.
Arla had a deep and abiding faith in God. Her family often talked about her “direct line” to God when she prayed. When you were at “the top of her prayer list,” you felt enveloped by her love and her faith. Arla was a wonderful gardener who spent many a summer evening sitting outside surrounded by her flowers and marveling at the beauty of every blossom. She continued this summer tradition when, in 2007, she and her brother Waldo moved to Sioux Falls to live with her daughter Gurine.
Her greatest joy was her family. Arla was happiest when surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.She recently commented that she had “a wonderful life!”
Blessed to have been a part of that life are her seven children: Gurine Ailts, Sioux Falls; Kevin (Anita) Ailts, Brookings; Rhonda (Jeffrey) VanLeur, Emery; Rolayne (David) Wiest, Pierre; Blaine (Marlys) Ailts, Brookings; Gerald Steven (Sarah) Ailts, Sioux Falls; and Daron (Jill) Ailts, Sioux Falls; sixteen grandchildren: Miriah Ailts, Kiley Jo Black, Griffith (Nicole) VanLeur, Rachel (Andy) Olinger, Gerad (Miranda) VanLeur, Jessie VanLeur (fiancé Josh Yttreness), Brooke Wiest, Heather (Andy) Stegemann, Matthew (Shanda) Ailts, Jacob (Sami) Ailts, Isaak Ailts, Ian Ailts;, Elliana Ailts, Adan Ailts, Maya Ailts and Zachary Ailts; her thirteen great grandchildren: Dante and Dax Lee, Kru and Letty Black, Leighton and Oakley VanLeur, Ellison and Colter Olinger, Micah, Blake, and Levi Stegemann and Landon and Logan Ailts; her sister: Audrey Zwingelberg and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Gerald, her parents, and brother Waldo.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday, June 19, 2019, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Flandreau, with burial in Lone Rock Cemetery, rural Flandreau.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be directed to Redeemer Lutheran Church and Lone Rock Cemetery.
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