Arlene Marie Rossitto died Thursday, March 5, 2009, at the Good Samaritan Care Center in Oberlin, KS, at the age of 92.

She was born September 5, 1916, at Sturgis, SD, the daughter of the late Elmer Peter and Sophia Anna (Lanouette) Bachand. Arlene grew up in the Bear Butte Valley east of Sturgis and graduated from High School at St. Martin's Academy in Sturgis in 1934 and attended business college at Rapid City, SD. She began working in the Meade County Court House in Sturgis. On November 19, 1940, Arlene married Carl Joseph Rossitto at Lincoln, NE, and they moved to McCook, NE, in 1942. Arlene's faith inspired two generations of Rossittos. She instilled her faith and a love of learning, travel, and music in her children. Generous, warm hospitality founded her children and grandchildren's careers in an array of service to others. Following the death of her husband, Carl, Arlene became a Clerk in the Red Willow County Clerks office serving from 1976 until her retirement in 1992.

Arlene's survivors include two sons and three daughters, Carl and Jeannene (Pavel) Rossitto of Omaha, NE, James Rossitto of New Orleans, LA, Shirley and Richard Young of Minden, NE, Mary and Wayne Johnson, Pleasant Hill, IA, and Patricia and Mark Messinger of McCook, NE; one sister, Bernadette Ricard of Piedmont, SD; one brother Wilbur and Jeanne Bachand of Sturgis; sisters-in-law, Frances Bachand of Rapid City, Martha Rossitto of Lincoln, NE, and Esther Rossitto of Forte St. Lucie, FL; nine grandchildren, Shawn Young, Shelly (Young) Bennett, Andrea (Rossitto) Willets, Jami (Rossitto) Carey, Chad Johnson, Carissa (Johnson) Stangl, Paul Messinger, Amy (Messinger) Bohmont, and David Messinger; nine great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl on January 15, 1973; her parents; two brothers, Ambrose and wife, Florence, and James Bachand; and brother-in-law, Maurice Ricard.

Visitation will be Monday from noon until 9:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis with a rosary beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian burial will be held on Tuesday, March 10, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Sturgis with Father Arnold Kari officiating. Burial will follow at St. Aloysius Cemetery.