LeRoy Arens

FORDYCE — LeRoy J. Arens, 84, Fordyce, died June 29, 2026, at Avera Hospice House, Yankton, S.D. A Mass of Christian Burial was July 3 at Holy Family (Sts. Peter & Paul) Catholic Church, Bow Valley, with the Rev. Eliot Schwer officiating. Burial was at the parish cemetery. Pallbearers were Nathan Schulte, Austin Arens, Gene Guenther, Jesse Koch, Gerard Arens and Larry Schmidt. Honorary pallbearers were Leroy’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Visitation was July 2 at the church and continued Friday, one hour prior to services. Arrangements were under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home, Hartington. LeRoy Joseph was born March 19, 1942, on the home place three miles east of Fordyce, to Rudolph E. and Ella (Kruse) Arens. LeRoy attended the first-eighth grades at Brookside District 108 on the top of the hill. He then attended the ninth and tenth grade at the Fordyce High school. LeRoy then went to Holy Trinity for the eleventh grade for three days. LeRoy married Almeda Mary Guenther June 16, 1964, in Fordyce.

LeRoy farmed his entire life and then worked for the Wynot Farm Store for three years. He worked for Ed Arens at Arens Heating and Cooling for 10 years, and finished his employment at Hesse International, Crofton, and for Jesse Koch.

LeRoy was a member of Holy Family (Sts. Peter & Paul) Catholic Church, Bow Valley. He had a passion for Corvettes and owned several over the years. He liked to show his car at the Black Hills Corvette Classic.

He is survived by his two children, Michelle (Michael) Schulte, Yankton, S.D., and Doug (Jerrie) Arens, Hartington; four grandchildren, Wendy (Justin) Jensen and Nathan Schulte; Kelsey (Adam) Backer and Austin Arens; great-grandchildren, Ella, Connor, Hannah, Clara and Carter Jensen, Cooper, Ava,and Brooks Backer.

LeRoy was preceded in death by his parents, Rudolph and Ella Arens; his wife, Almeda, Oct. 19, 2015, at the age of 70; and great-grandson, Craig Schulte.