May 5, 1946 - March 6, 2023

Arlen Charles Sandine Sr., 76, of Rapid City, S.D. (formerly of Hot Springs), passed away peacefully after a short battle with lung cancer on March 6, 2023. He was surrounded by his family and loving nurse staff at Monument Health Rapid City Hospital.

Born May 5, 1946 in Mitchell, S.D. to his proud parents Clarence and Grace Sandine. When Arlen was born his family lived in Turkey Ridge, S.D. and shortly after the family moved to a small farm in Epiphany, S.D. In 1956 the family moved to Rapid City, where Arlen went to school and met many lifelong friends, He graduated from high school in 1964 and started at Black Hills State University but after a prolonged illness was unable to catch up on his college classes. When he got better, he joined the Navy to avoid being drafted into another branch of service. In 1965 he went to bootcamp and was later stationed in Vietnam.

After Vietnam he was aboard a ship named the USS Farragut out of Florida. In 1968 his brother Curt joined him aboard the ship for brother duty.

Curt received orders to go to the Bahamas, on the island of Eleuthera, where Arlen later joined him for brother duty and shortly after that, he met the love of his life, Elaine Wetherington. She was there visiting her sister Joyce and her husband Sandy. They were married eight months later in the Bahamas.

Once Arlen was done with his tour they moved back to South Dakota. In 1970 they welcomed their son Arlen Sandine Jr. and in 1973 they welcomed their daughter Katina (Tina). From South Dakota Arlen and Elaine moved to Virginia where Arlen worked at the family muffler shop. South Dakota called them back in 1985. After the kids were out of school they moved around a few places while Arlen drove truck hauling gasoline first then liquid oxygen. But as always South Dakota was home for them (as were the kids and grandkids) so in 2004 they moved to Hot Springs S.D. and Arlen hand built a beautiful house on 10 acres they loved and he farmed with his tractors. Less than a year ago they moved to Rapid City to be even closer.

Arlen was the type of person that just made you feel like a better person for having known him. He was the most loving and caring person especially when it came to his grandchildren. Arlen spent a lot of time collecting things. He enjoyed tractors, cars and most recently trains. He was so intelligent and handy, if he didn’t know how to fix it, he would figure it out. His family and friends meant the world to him and if he loved you, he made sure that you knew it. Arlen always had a smile and joke to share.

Arlen is survived by his loving wife, Elaine of Rapid City; his siblings, Curt (Jill) of Hot Springs, and Twila Ferguson of Rapid City; children, Arlie (Stacy) Sandine of Piedmont and Tina (Shawn) Flack of Rapid City; his grandchildren, Jacob (Tineale), Kayla (Jordan), Joshua, Brendan and Bryce; great granddaughter, Emersyn. He recently began loving grandpa duties to Alyssa (Will), Allison (AJ), Emma and Tyler, along with great grandpa to little Luke. Joyce (Ron) Karl his bonus daughter.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Grace; brothers, Daryl and Veryl and sister in laws, Floy and Esther.

Arlen is now in Gods care, no more pain, no more suffering.

Visitation was held Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home in Rapid City.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 16, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home, followed by burial at Black Hills National Cemetery with military honors at 12:30 p.m.

Fellowship/luncheon to follow the burial at The Eagles Club, 1410 Centre Street, Rapid City, S.D.

Online condolences can be left at www.oshiemschmidt.com