PIERRE, SD – Arlene Barker, 95, formerly of Pierre, passed away in Rapid City on March 9, 2024. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00am, Thursday, March 14, 2024 at Feigum Funeral Home with visitation an hour prior 10:00-11:00am. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery.

Arlene Q. Barker – Respected, Treasured, Cherished and Loved.

Arlene was born on October 15th, 1928 and slipped away peacefully, surrendering her earthly body for her place in heaven on March 9th, 2024. We are blessed to have celebrated 95 years with her, and find comfort knowing that she is in the arms of her beloved Jesus Christ.

Mom was a devoted follower of Christ, loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, and friend. Teaching and living in His words daily with her thought’s actions and deeds.

Arlene was born and raised in Colfax Wisconsin, loved by her family Arthur and Jennie Quevillon, sisters Naomi, Yvonne, Mercedes, and baby Doreese. She graduated from high school in Colfax WI, 1946, ventured off to Eau Claire for one year and then to Kahler School of Nursing, graduating in 1950. Mom worked at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester and several other hospitals. (We have smiling memories as kids where mom would call the hospital the “horse pistol”.)

Mom loved and married Blaine Byers Barker Jr. and on December 27th, 1952, and together they built a family concreted solidly in the teaching of Christ. They welcomed 4 children into their home.

Todd & Francha Barker – Jon Barker and Kyeonghee Yun – Aaron Wooju

– Anne and Jeffrey Crosswhite – Lovelle

Tim & Mandy Barker – Justin & Erika Stiner – Blaine, Elise & Isaac, Tessa, Cora

– D’Ann & Alex Jermeland

Tara Carnes – Emma Carnes

Jana (Joey) & Dale Hartshorn – Skye Slater & Stephen Parent

– Chase Slater – Livia, Leila, & Haset

– Rumor Schiltz

– Thaddeus Hartshorn

Those who greeted her in paradise, her faithful and loving husband, her parents, sisters, great grandbabies, (Isaac and Tessa) amongst other dear family and friends. What a wonderful celebration they had!

Our mom’s surviving relatives: Yvonne Silvernail and daughters Sue and Sondra, niece and nephews, Paul, John, David, Ruth, and Kathy.

How do sum up your mother’s life in mere words? It is indeed impossible. Why? Each of us has a different story, different memories, different experiences and a lifetime of love and learning. What can be said about her that can reflect how much love, care, time, devotion, sacrifice, intention, patience, hope, dreams, desires, kindness, generosity, knowledge, teaching, purpose, and selfless pursuit of life she possessed? Mom devoted her life to God, her family, and others. How blessed we are to have been a part of it.

She is and will always be a grand and gracious lady. Beautiful on the inside and on the outside. Incredibly beautiful, head turning in fact, although she would resist a compliment like this, it is fact. Mom was small in stature but larger than life. She had stunning eyes of blue and beautiful honey blonde hair, a smile that would show the world that she was proud of you in flash, a nurturer, supporter, teacher, and avid book reader. She had beautiful petite hands that could do so much, embroider a beautiful dishcloth, plant flowers in her garden, heal, write, draw. Mom loved children, not just her own but all children, she saw their worth. Mom was a teacher and loved to show us how to do things. She constantly sacrificed her time, she was a nurturer, a relentless giver, bird watcher, gardener. Mom loved books, time spent outside, animals, clothing, shoes, hats, and sweets…nothing better than a good piece of chocolate. (Tara used to tease mom about sitting on the couch and eating chocolates.) But this just scratches the superficial surface of who mom was.

Our mother loved us all fiercely. She prayed for us and hoped for us.

We find peace knowing that mom if free of her failing earthly body and can run in heaven, she is free.

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