Lois Rykhus

Lois Rykhus, age 90, died at Avantara in Clark, SD on Saturday, June 4, 2022.

Lois Rae Rykhus was born on a homestead in Perkins County near Lemmon, SD, January 9, 1932. She lived her young life in the country near Lemmon and Clark, SD, and in the town of Clark for part of high school. Lois was a loving mother and passionate about her children: she raised four children. She loved attending theater, dancing, reading, taking photographs, playing cards, and loved having coffee and tea with friends and family.

Lois loved the beauty of the outdoors and spending family time with her children outside, including camping with family and climbing Harney Peak in the Black Hills throughout her 50's. She had a passion for theater both in South Dakota and afar, traveling as far as Connecticut and New York City to see theater with her children in her mid 60's.

Education was very important to Lois. In her late 40's, after being married for over 25 years to Donald James Rykhus, she first finished her Bachelor of Arts degree and then two Master's degrees, in Psychology and Criminology. All were conferred by South Dakota State University. She loved her art classes, beginning in 1968 and into the 1990s and was a wonderful painter and artist throughout her life in Roundup, Montana, and Elkton, SD.

As an 18 -20 year old, after an 18 month teacher certificate program, Lois worked as a country school teacher near Clark, SD. She volunteered with Meals on Wheels and did community volunteer work through her church. She was closely involved with The Baptist Church in Elkton, SD, and United Campus Ministries at South Dakota State University.

She worked as a secretary in Brookings early in adult life and worked briefly for a non-profit organization in Brookings, SD, after completing one or more of her degrees in Brookings.

Thirteen years ago Lois had a stroke, which limited her ability to communicate. She still enjoyed having family come to visit and especially loved looking at pictures. She was well cared for by a facility in Sioux Falls and by Avantara Nursing Home in Clark.

She will be missed by all those who loved her. She is survived by sons: Steven James (Emily) Rykhus, Michael Dean (Alana) Rykhus, Jeffery Mark Rykhus, daughter: Angela Joan (Mike) Rykhus-Lemay, grandson Zachary (Jacqueline) Rykhus, granddaughter Enya Wallace, and great grandchildren Logan and Claire Rykhus.

She was preceded in death by parents James Raymond and Eva Mathilda Arthur, her brother James D. Arthur, her sister Mary Lou Hallberg and her grandson Austin Michael Rykhus.

Friends and family visitation hours will be held at Furness Funeral Home in Clark, SD on June 12, 2022, from 1-3 pm. All are welcome to join the family there and at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Clark directly afterwards.

Please CLICK HERE to view Lois' slideshow video

Funeral services are with the Furness Funeral Home in Clark, SD where there is an online registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com