Arlene Colwell went peacefully home to be with her Lord on September 13, 2023.  A Celebration of Life will take place at 1:30 PM on Saturday, September 30th at Knollwood Heights United Methodist Church in Rapid City, SD.  Interment will be at a later date at Black Hills National Cemetery.

Arlene was born on May 28, 1934, near Parkston, SD, to Henry and Othilla (Landenberger) Roth.  Her childhood was spent on the farm working hard alongside her siblings.  Like many children at the time, Arlene only completed the 8th grade in order to help on the farm.  She moved away from the farm at 17 to begin her own life adventure.

Anyone who met Arlene knew one thing about her: she had an incredible work ethic. During the course of her life Arlene had many occupations including: owning and operating a dry-cleaning shop, farming near Scotland, SD, being a nurse's aide in both Scotland and the Human Services Center in Yankton, and cooking for Scotland School District.  After they left the farm, she and her husband Floyd managed apartments in Brookings, SD.  Arlene and Floyd later moved to Rapid City, SD, where she first cleaned doctor offices and later detailed campers and RVs for several dealers in the Rapid City area before finally retiring in 2015.

In addition to being hard working, she was also fun-loving and fearless as demonstrated by racing in the "powderpuff" race at Dawson's Creek Speedway in Scotland, SD, even though she had never raced a car before.  She was also not afraid to speak her mind and would fight for what she believed in.  She could stand up for herself with anyone.

Arlene was married to Ralph Van Buskirk and together they had a son, Bruce Van Buskirk.  Arlene finally found the right one in Floyd Colwell and they were married January 5, 1973, in Scotland, SD, creating a blended family, adding Floyd's daughter, Christy.  In 1975 their daughter, Lisa, was welcomed to the family. Arlene and Floyd remained happily married until Floyd's death in 2011.

Arlene is survived by her stepdaughter, Christy (Scott) Baumiller; her son, Bruce (Roxanne) Van Buskirk; and her daughter, Lisa (Doug) Thompson.  Her children also blessed her with 7 grandchildren - Cathy, Craig, Jennifer, Brett, Alex, Cole and Cooper, and 3 great-grandchildren - Ryan, Grant, and Jackson.  She is also survived by her brothers, Darald (Diana) Roth, Loren Roth, and Oren "Shorty" (Alice) Roth; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Arlene was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd; her parents, Henry and Othilla; and her siblings, Virginia Dorale, Wilmar Roth, Wyman Roth, Russell Roth, Charles Roth; and an infant sister, Adela Roth.

Arlene was always an animal lover, especially cats and horses, so in lieu of flowers, the family would ask that you consider making a donation in her name to your favorite animal charity.