Arlene Betty Marie Brinkman Hardesty
November 13, 1939 ~ September 2, 2026
Arlene B. M. Brinkman Hardesty, 86, Sioux Falls, SD, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at Avera McKennan Medical Center in Sioux Falls.
Arlene Betty Marie Brinkman was born on November 13, 1939, in Battle Creek, IA, to Henry and Ella (Schutt) Brinkman. Arlene grew up in Battle Creek where she graduated high school. She moved to Omaha, NE at the age of 17. She first worked at a cookie factory before going to work at Kellogg’s Cereal Company. Her first job at Kellogg’s was to drop the toys into the cereal boxes on the assembly line. Her kids thought that was the best job ever because she would get to bring all the toys home for them. She eventually was promoted to a line mechanic and at the age of 56, after working there for 29 years, she retired from Kellogg’s Cereal Company.
Arlene met her husband, Richard Seymore Hardesty, Sr., in Omaha and they were married for 29 years. Richard died at the age of 55, and Arlene never remarried. Together, they had three children, Sherry Hardesty, Shelly (Brent)Thurness, and Richard (Joyce) Hardesty. Arlene had 5 grandchildren, Chelsie (Chase), Spencer, Cole (Kaylee), Chase, and Emma and just this year, Chelsie and Chase had Marlee, who was Arlene’s first great grand baby.
Arlene moved “quite a bit”, always living close to her children. She built a house on Lake Panorama to live close to Sherry. She then moved to Urbandale, IA, to live closer to Shelly and her 3 grandkids. When Shelly’s family moved to the Black Hills, Arlene went with them to be close to the grandkids. They lived in Rapid City for 11 years. They just recently moved to Sioux Falls, SD and have been here for the past 3 years.
Arlene was full of life and always happy. She was up for anything and always ready to go. Arlene did not miss any event her grandkids were involved with. Cole and Chase played college football and Arlene road-tripped with the family all over Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and South Dakota. She loved watching football and did not miss a game.
Arlene was a twin to Arlin who died at an early age. In these last few months, she spoke of him often and was ready to see him again. She was preceded in death by her mom and dad, Ella and Henry; and her 2 brothers, Walt and Floyd.
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