Arlin Rops

Arlin Eugene Rops, 78, of Lennox, SD died October 7, 2021 at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD following a brief illness. Arlin was born in Hurley, SD on September 12, 1943 to John E. and Anna (Vietor) Rops. He was baptized and then later became a member of Turner County First Presbyterian Church, Davis, SD. He attended Vietor Rural School and graduated from Lennox High School in 1961 where he was active in sports, 4-H and FFA. Following graduation, Arlin enlisted in the United States Army and completed basic training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The remainder of his military service was spent at Schofield Barracks Army Base in Oahu, HI., with an assignment in Vietnam at the end of his military career. He returned to Lennox and began farming with his father. They milked cows and planted and harvested oats, corn, soybeans and alfalfa. He attended advanced agricultural classes under the GI Bill. On October 8, 1967, Arlin was united in marriage to Judy Jibben, at Turner County First Presbyterian Church and took over the family farm four miles south of Lennox. They were blessed with three sons - Steve, Tom and Ben - whose involvement in sports, 4-H, and FFA kept them busy. Arlin conducted judging schools on the farm and served on the County 4-H Board. He never missed basketball or baseball games and often talked about the many miles he had driven to attend games throughout the boys' elementary, high school and college years. He was an active volunteer with American Legion Baseball and could often be seen maintaining the fields during tournaments. Arlin loved kids and one of his greatest joys was watching his grandchildren participating in their various activities. He could fix things and in his spare time enjoyed fishing, woodworking and coffee time with friends. Arlin loved his community and his church. He served on the Grant Township Board and South Lincoln Rural Water Board and Pork Producers Council. He served as a Trustee and Deacon at Turner County and later First Presbyterian in Sioux Falls. Arlin was preceded in death by his parents, John and Anna Rops, and his in-laws, Harold and Doris Jibben. Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Judy; three children, Steven (Heidi), of Ruthton, MN, Thomas, of Luverne, MN, and Benjamin of Sioux Falls, SD; six grandchildren, Justin, Charles, William, Trenton, Jayson, and Maria; siblings, Elda Gall, Ocean, New Jersey, and Charlene (Jeff) Haan, Davis, SD; brother and sister in-law, James (Jane) Jibben of rural Lennox and sister Carol (James) Heim, Spooner, WI,; plus, numerous nieces and nephews other relatives, and a host of friends. Services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Monday, October 11 at First Presbyterian Church, 2300 S West Ave, Sioux Falls and streamed via fpcsiouxfalls.org. Visitation, with the family present, will be 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Dindot-Klusmann Funeral Home, Lennox. Memorials may directed to the Lennox American Legion Baseball Assn. or First Presbyterian Church. Masts are encouraged.

Arlin Rops

September 12, 1943 - October 7, 2021

Explore Obituaries &
Upcoming Services