Arlen Nordhagen

 Arlen Nordhagen, 80, of Sioux Falls, SD passed away Wednesday, September 4 at

his residence.

 Arlen was born at home, May 12, 1944 in Vermillion, SD to Asbjorn and Mattie

(Kryger) Nordhagen. He attended Vermillion high School and earned his BA from

Southern state college and also earned his master’s degree from Southwest Missouri

State University in Maryville, MO.

 Arlen taught school in Wakonda, SD and after receiving his masters, he was the high

school principal in Willow Lake, SD, Lemmon, SD, Hot Springs, SD, Martin, SD, Kimball,

SD, and Red Field, SD. After retiring from the school system, he sold cars for Hansen

Motors in Red Field, SD and then worked for Cresent Electric, in Aberdeen and Sioux

Falls, SD.

 Arlen was a member of the Masonic Unity Lodge in Sioux Falls and El Riad Shrine. He

was also a member of the Yelduz Shrine in Aberdeen, SD and sang with the Yelduz

Chanters. Arlen was also a member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles in Vermillion,

SD.

 Arlen married Linda Dutcher on August 14, 1970 in Vermillion, SD. From this union a

son was born. Shawn Nordhagen in1972.

 Arlen was a people person and enjoyed visiting with anyone. If you sat next to him as a

stranger, you left as a friend. He always looked at life in a positive way and always had

words of encouragement to offer. Arlen was never much of a complainer even with his

health issues from time to time, he always faced them with a positive attitude and

said, “Yep, its tough getting old.”

 Arlen greatest joys in life were spending time with family and friends. He enjoyed

going to various events and traveling from town to town to meet up with friends.

Arlen never missed an opportunity to support Shawn at any of his sporting events.

This including National AAU track meets in California and New York where he was one

of his biggest supporters.

 Arlen enjoyed hunting, fishing, and singing with the Yeldez Chanters along with many

more outings and events. You could always count on him being at each and every event

that he could go to. Arlen and Linda were in their car more than they were in their

house. But he wouldn't have had it any other way.

 During his educational career, he was a positive influence to many students and

coworkers. He was a great principal and helped shape many students lives to who they

have become today. He was very well respected by faculty, staff, and students.

We will never forget Arlen’s kind heart and smile, along with a willingness to share a

good “Dad” joke.

 He is survived by his wife Linda of Sioux Falls, son, Shawn (Dannalee) of Sioux Falls,

grandson Matthew Wolfe (Sadie) and their children Jacklyn and Bennett.

Granddaughter, Ashlan Campbell (Mark) and their children, Maverick and Beckett.

Granddaughter, Jaden Madalyn.

 He is preceded in death by his parents, Asbjorn and Mattie Nordhagen, his brother and

sister-in-law, Darrel and Marlene Nordhagen, and his sister and brother in law, Bill and

Eleanor Seney. Inlaws, Durwin and Madalyn Dutcher.

 He is also survived by his sister Linda Siver,(Wayne), brother in law Ron Dutcher, and

sister-in-law, Pat Dodson.

 We love you and miss you very much.

 Funeral service will be 2:00 PM Friday, Viewing from 1:00-2:00 PM, September 13 at

the Bergen Lutheran Church, rural Meckling, SD with burial in the Meckling Cemetery.

HansenFuneralHome.com.