Arlene B. Alter, encourager and prayer warrior, entered the arms of her Savior on May 11, 2009. Born February 3, 1920 to Edward and Ada (Fosler) Pischke of Leola, Arlene Blanche Pischke began her life in eastern South Dakota. The family left the farm when Arlene and her father became ill with tuberculosis. Arlene was only six at the time she became ill and spent many years of her childhood as the youngest patient in the sanitarium at Sanator, SD.

Many were the nights as a little girl did she stand gazing out of the hospital window at the lights of her family home. She longed to have her mother tuck her into bed and play with her sisters Lois and Ione and brother Eddie. This young life so lacking in normal childhood joys turned into her children's greatest blessing as she later shared her incredible imagination with her own children and grandchildren.

Once released from the hospital at the age of 12, Arlene caught up with the rest of her class in her studies. Stories of the little school, its students and Mr. Greener provided fond remembrances for Arlene and her siblings. In her high school years at Custer she excelled in her studies, music and drama.

After high school Arlene worked at the sanitarium where she met John Alter of Elk Point, SD. John had come to work with the CC camp responsible for building the tower at Harney Peak. John's love for the Hills kept him in the area where he found employment at the Sanator dairy barn. John and Arlene were married on December 1, 1942. John left for the Army and Arlene went on to college at Black Hills in Spearfish. Her first teaching job was for the Hermosa School.

When John finished his tour of duty, which included serving in Puerto Rico, the two settled in Sanator, where they welcomed their first two children, Donna and Marilyn who were born in Hot Springs. The couple moved to Elk Point in the early 50's. Twin sons Terry and Larry were born during this time and later son Bill. The couple moved to Winner, SD where the last two children, Dan and Leila, were born.

These were busy years for the mother of seven children who made it her priority to be at home. She sewed, gardened, baked and work tirelessly for her family and her church. Many members of Christ Lutheran Church in Winner remember Arlene and the pink paper mache birthday cake bank at Sunday school.

In the early 70's the Alters moved to Greeley, Colorado where Arlene once again worked as a teacher to organize and direct Gloria Christi Lutheran Church Pre-school. Retired in 1984, John and Arlene returned to their beloved Black Hills settling in Hot Springs. When John passed away in 1987, she bravely continued her work as Mom, Grandma, church worker, prayer lady, parochial school board member and nursing home visitor.

A great joy for her was her involvement in Bethesda Lutheran Church Prayer Partners. Arlene made all those she met part of her active prayer life. The quintessential nurturing mother and prayer warrior will be missed by her ever grateful family.
She was preceded in death by her dear husband, John, her parents, Ed and Ada Pischke and her brother Eddie and wife Martha Pischke of Hot Springs. She will be missed by her sisters, Lois Larson of Custer, and Gloria Ione Larson of Sturgis. Her life is lovingly celebrated by her children and their families including: daughter Donna and Larry Shuck of Pierre, Tracy and Shannon Shuck, Haleigh and Keegan of Chadron, NE, and Matt and JaeJin Shuck of Seoul, Korea. Her daughter Marilyn Kaiser of Hot Springs, Chris and Jessica Freeman, Kyler and Taigen; Toby and Teresa Kaiser and Ayden; and Andy and Nikki Kaiser all of Rapid City. Her son Larry and Vicki Alter of Los Alamos, NM. John and Calla Alter, Dayton and Sidney of Denver; Christopher and Kim Alter, Christian, Aspen and Sierra of Pineville, NC. Her son Terry and Gloria Alter and Ali (Alexandra Arlene) of DeKalb, IL. Her son Bill and Pearl Alter, Whitney Alter and Kevin Alter of Evans, CO., Neil, Jennifer and Brenton also of Evans. Her son Daniel and Debra Alter, Michael Alter, Desirae and Jon Bourne, Kamron, Jadan, Braysen and Landon all of Rapid City, SD. And her daughter Leila Alter, Hot Springs, her loving caregiver and companion. With Lee and Min's help, Arlene did not have to spend any more days in a hospital looking longingly toward home but was able to be on her beloved hillside. She also leaves many extended family members including Judi Sigafoos, Joanne Mayhew, Amy Allen, Leanne Weideman, David Larson and Darrell Larson.

Arlene, ever the educator, is off to school again. She made arrangements to donate her body for medical studies at USD School of Medicine. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be presented by Pastor Gary Jacobsen on Saturday, May 16th at 4pm at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Hot Springs.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Hot Springs. Written condolences can be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com.