Arlene Bendix

Arlene Marcella Bendix was born on April 20, 1936, to Martin and Adelia (Nelson) Ree at the family home on a farm near Milroy, Minnesota. Arlene was the youngest of 10 siblings. She was baptized on May 31, 1936 at First English Lutheran Church in Milroy, Minnesota and later confirmed at Eastside Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The family lived on a few different farms during the first years of Arlene’s childhood. She had fond memories of countless hours spent outside barefoot, playing house in back groves with her sisters, helping raise geese, tending to their milk cows and riding the family pony. While growing up, Arlene would often spend the 4th of July with her family at Camden State Park in Lynd, Minnesota. During the summers, she and her siblings would help their dad shock oats and help their mom with canning corn. In 1947, when she was 11 years old, the family moved to Sioux Falls, where Arlene later attended Washington High School. During her time there, she was a cheerleader for the basketball team and played the trombone in the school orchestra. She was a member of the Future Teachers of America and loved to work on sewing projects whenever she could. She even sewed her own prom dress and many school clothes for herself. Arlene graduated high school in 1954 and furthered her education by attending Southern State Teacher’s College in Springfield, South Dakota, graduating in 1960 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education.

Upon her college graduation, Arlene began teaching in Renville, Minnesota. It was during her time there that Arlene met the love of her life, Eugene Bendix. The couple was united in marriage on June 1, 1962. Together the couple purchased their first house in Luverne, Minnesota and began making it their home. Arlene was teaching kindergarten at the time and had helped establish a nursery school at the Presbyterian Church in Luverne. Arlene and Gene were blessed with their two daughters, Julie and Michele. Many hours were spent helping the girls with cooking and sewing for 4-H projects. As a first grade teacher, Mrs. Bendix touched the lives of many students through her career. She retired in 2002 after teaching for 26 years. Arlene was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne, where she was active in Circle, Mission in Action and many Bible study groups. She often volunteered at the History Center, the local hospital and was a volunteer reader at the elementary school. Arlene loved swimming, playing with bridge groups, quilting and gardening, and preparing special meals and baking for others. She always wanted people to be fed. Arlene lived a servant life - her love for her Lord was intertwined in her daily actions. She was confident in her faith and poured that love into her family and friends.

Arlene passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage in Luverne, at the age of 89 years, five months and 11 days. The love Arlene had for her family and her faith will forever be stitched into the hearts of those who knew her.

Arlene is lovingly remembered by her two daughters, Julie (Jim) Barkley of Grenville, South Dakota and Michele (Joe) Vogel of Sioux Falls; five grandchildren, Austin Barkley, Amelia Barkley, Emma Vogel, Patrick Vogel and Margaret Vogel; and other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene Bendix; parents, Martin and Adelia Ree; and nine brothers and sisters, and their spouses.

Memorials will be directed toward Arlene's activities such as Mission in Action.

“Every day is a gift.”