Arnold & Rita Topf

Arnold "Arnie" and Rita Topf, of Lennox, SD, formerly Harrisburg, SD, and Hartington, NE, passed away tragically in a motor vehicle accident, south of Harrisburg, on November 16, 2024. Arnold Richard Topf was born on April 25, 1945, at Randolph, NE, the son of Richard and Anna (Ronspies) Topf. He grew up and attended St. Frances Catholic School, Randolph, NE, graduating high school in 1963. He served in the SD Army National Guard for several years. Arnie worked as a meat cutter for Cimpl Meats in Yankton, SD. He and Rita owned and operated Arnie's Market from 1979 until 1998. He then worked in sales for Affiliated Foods until fully retiring in 2012. Rita Ardell Schliem was born on April 20, 1945 at Watertown, SD, the daughter of Myron and Darleen (Willers) Schliem. She grew up and attended school at Hills Beaver Creek, MN and Lyons, SD, graduating from Lyons High School in 1963. She attended Mount Marty College, Yankton, SD for several years. She was a devoted homemaker and together with Arnie owned and operated Arnie's Market. After the sale of the store, she worked in retail until fully retiring in 2012. On December 28, 1968 Arnold and Rita were married at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Yankton, SD. Four children were born to this union. The couple made their home in several locations and then Hartington, NE, Harrisburg, SD and recently Lennox, SD. Arnold and Rita were devoted to their children and grandchildren. They shared the a passion for Nebraska Cornhusker and Kansas City Chief's football. Arnie, in younger years enjoyed pheasant hunting and golf. He was known for his jovial outgoing personality and sense of humor. Rita enjoyed sewing, reading, golf and baking. She was known for her Grandma cookies and banana bars. She will be remembered as a kind and giving, good hearted person. Arnold was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Margie Haverkamp. Rita was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Gayle Hanson. Grateful for having shared their lives are their children: Jim Topf, Charleston, SC, Paula (Brian) Stahl, Albany, OR, Curtis (Stacy) Topf, Omaha, NE and Pam (Matt) McCready, Lennox, SD; five grandchildren: Jordynne Stahl, Gavin Topf, Connor McCready, Brooke McCready and Kenedi McCready; Rita's siblings: Vicki (Bernie) Scheppers, Papillion, NE and Carlyle (Gloria Bellonger) Schliem, Sioux Falls, and brother-in-law, Ned hanson, Crooks, SD, as well as a host of other relatives and friends. Memorial services will begin at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, November 23, 2024 at St. Magdalen Catholic Church, Lennox, SD with burial to follow in the Worthing Cemetery. Visitation, also at St. Magdalen Catholic Church, with the family present, will be 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, with the Rosary at 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to a charity of your choice or to the family for charities to be determined later.