Arlis Fox

Please note: due to weather Arlis' Funeral Service has changed.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, December 19, 2022 at the Holy Name Catholic Church of Watertown at 10 AM with The Reverend John Fischer. Visitation will be held an hour prior. Burial will be at St. Boniface Cemetery in Clark at a later date.

The service will be lived streamed and able to be viewed on the Furness Funeral Home Facebook page.

In lieu of flowers family requests donations to go to either the St. Judes Hospital or the Bishop Dudley House in Sioux Falls, SD.

In Loving Memory of Arlis Fox

Arlis Mae Benson Fox, age 86, longtime resident of Codington and Clark County, SD died peacefully in her sleep on December 9, 2022 at the Dow Rummel Living Center in Sioux Falls, SD.

Arlis was born in Clark, SD to John and Mabel Benson on September 12, 1936.  She was baptized Lutheran and then became a devout Catholic when joined in marriage on June 12, 1955 to Joseph Robert Fox.

Arlis served her family and community in many different roles from volunteering as a CCD teacher, a Catholic Youth Organization leader, Boy Scout den mother, and an active member of the Women's Catholic Altar Society. Arlis' working career spanned several years in various business environments within her local communities, ranging from education to healthcare to media. However, her most important job title was mother and grandmother.

Upon retiring, she enjoyed life at the lake with her husband, camping, baking with her grandchildren, embroidering, crocheting, reading, and playing her piano.  Additionally, a little known fact is that Arlis had the ability to hear a song once and play by ear.   You'd rarely walk into her home without hearing her twinkling the keys. The tempo of the music she played was often reflective of her mood.

Neighborhood children were always welcome in her home and affectionately called her "Momma Fox".  Although small in stature, she had a mighty spirit, a can do attitude, and a strong will.  What a "wooden spoon"couldn't accomplish, her formidable presence did.

Our mother's love and commitment to the family was the beacon that drew us home.  She was truly the anchor and glue to our family and will be greatly missed.  Mother's endless optimism and words of comfort will always be with us.  As she would say,

"All will be fine, as the sun will rise again tomorrow".

Our Mother's steadfast faith had seen her through many trials and tribulations.  She exemplified Christ's teachings of unconditional love and acceptance to her children and many grandchildren.  In the end it was her unwavering trust and faith in our Lord which allowed her to peacefully "Let God and Let Go".

Finally, our mother loved the Christmas holidays (and in her home it WAS an entire season). We have such fond memories of her decorating, cooking, baking, lutefisk and lefse dinners along with Christmas carols on the piano.  She made our holidays special and memorable.  In her honor, we welcome everyone to don attire in the colors of the Christmas season.  Arlis will be celebrating the most beautiful Christmas with our Heavenly Father this year.

Arlis was preceded in death by her parents John & Mabel, sister and brother-in-law Arlene & Wayne Keyes, father and mother-in laws Walter & Viola Fox, sister in-law and brother in-law Judy & Leonard Christenson, brothers in-law Johnnie Ovre, Gene Brennan, Bill Altfillisch, and Dale Larson, and beloved nephews Steven Noonan and Jared Larson.

Arlis is survived by her husband Joseph Robert Fox, her loving sister Karen Ovre, her children Kelly Fox, Kimberly (Tim) Schweitzer, Robert (Denice) Fox, Michael Fox, Dianne (Keith) Fox-Welch, Christina Fox, John (Kim) Fox; grandchildren Dr. Kathryn Fox (Dr. Ali Adamcyzk),  Joe Fox, Elizabeth (Jordan) Rieffenberger,  Alexandria (Danny) Rieffenberger, Abigail (Josh) Taralson, Spencer Schweitzer, Benjamin (Lisa) Fox, Dr. Emily (Adam) Dunn, Kristen Fox (Radley Hohenberger), Makayla Fox, River Fox-Welch, Raine Fox-Welch, Killian Sweeney, Liam Sweeney,  Olivia Fox, Maya Fox; and 13 great-grandchildren.   Other family members forever in her heart, Ann, Patti, Pam, Bob, and Amity.

Funeral services are with the Furness Funeral Home of Clark, SD where there is an on-line registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com .