Connie Arlene (Arendsee) Wilkins, age 88, of Sioux Falls, SD, passed away at the Good Samaritan Campus in Sioux Falls on Thursday, October 26, 2023.  A private burial will be held at a later date with the assistance of Hyke Funeral Home in Redfield, SD.

   Connie was born August 17, 1935, in Cresbard, SD, to Lester and Marie (Augustine) Arendsee. She grew up and was raised in Cresbard, where Connie attended grade school and graduated in 1953 from Cresbard High School.  She then attended Northern State College in Aberdeen, SD, and she also worked at First National Bank.

   Connie Arendsee and Royal Wilkins were united in marriage on November 12, 1954, in Cresbard.  They took over and purchased the family farm near Northville, SD, where they raised their family. Connie moved to the Good Samaritan Campus. Royal passed away March 19, 2002.  Her family and friends were definitely very important to Connie.  Her faith was also important.  She was active at the Northville United Methodist Church and later at the Northwestern Church in Mellette, SD. 

   Connie was a stay-at-home mom until their youngest started school.  She was a teacher’s aide and later worked at the Mansfield State Bank in Mansfield, SD, until her retirement.  Connie and Royal enjoyed attending all their children’s activities and, later, their grandchildren’s games and concerts.  One of their favorite activities was attending concerts in Aberdeen and Redfield. They would go out in the evenings on a date to a show and dining at the Flame.

   Connie is survived by her loving children, daughters:  Deb (Larry) Wilkins-Decker, Sioux Falls, Jodi (Tom) Carr, Redfield, and sons:  Brad (Pat) Wilkins, Salem, SD, and Scott Wilkins, Fargo, ND.  She has three grandchildren:  Chris Carr, Redfield, Brent (Laura) Carr, Coon Rapids, MN, and Amber (Adam) Prunty, Hartford, SD.  Also, her beloved great-grandchildren: Trevor Carr, Redfield, Emilia and Ethan Carr, Lacey, WA, Max, Sienna, Greta, and Joseph (Jack) Carr, Coon Rapids, MN, and Paxton and Kolter Prunty, Hartford, SD.  She is also survived by her two brothers: Russell (Betty) Arendsee, Watertown, SD, and Jerald (Carol) Arendsee, Rapid City, SD, as well as nieces and a nephew.

   She is preceded in death by her husband Royal, parents Lester and Marie Arendsee, nephew Bryan Arendsee, and in-laws Harold and Marguerite Wilkins and George and Iris Putnam.