Arlys M. Zoellner, 90, died Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, at Ascension Via Christi Hospital surrounded by loved ones.
Arlys Mae Zoellner was born on December 7, 1932, to Ruben Ludvig and Jennie Elida (Ness) Johnson in Britton, SD. She grew up on the family farm and was baptized and confirmed at Augustana Lutheran Church in rural Claremont. Arlys attended a one-room school in Riverside Township and graduated from Groton High School. Arlys attended Northern State College in Aberdeen, SD, where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Secondary Education.
She taught Biology, English, and Business at Clark High School in Clark, SD, Madison High School in Madison, MN, and Hickman High School in Columbia, MO. On December 30, 1958, Arlys married Keith Owen Zoellner, Ph.D., in Groton, SD. After teaching, she served as a campus ministries coordinator at Stephens College, Columbia, MO, and later at Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS. Upon the birth of her daughter, she was a stay-at-home Mom, and then later returned to work at the Office of the Registrar at Kansas State University.
At Kansas State University, Arlys was active in the Department of Animal Science and Industry and as a leader in the Social Club. At First Lutheran Church, she and her husband led youth group, led Vacation Bible School, served as Church Librarian, and was an active member of Lydia Circle. She was active in 4-H through the Cico Shamrocks Club and in American Field Service (AFS) Intercultural Programs, including hosting a cherished AFS daughter, Sue Buell, from Sri Lanka for a year. Arlys loved people and the beauty of God's creation including flowers, gardening, and the national parks; she thought Paradise at Mount Rainier was appropriately named.
As a young girl in rural South Dakota, she never dreamed she would see the world. She loved meeting new people, seeing how they lived, and trying their favorite foods. She thoroughly agreed with Mark Twain that travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrowmindedness. Arlys saw 24 different countries, especially loving Argentina's Iguazu Falls and the unearthly landscape of Turkey's Cappadocia region. Most of all she loved spending time and creating memories with her nieces, Jenny and Jackie Johnson, and her daughter, Lori.
She will be remembered as a kind and loving person, who walked humbly with her God.
Arlys was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Keith, and two brothers, Merton and Gary Johnson. She is survived by her daughter, Lori Zoellner, Ph.D., of Seattle, WA, brother, Lyle, and sister-in-law, Mary Johnson, of Pearland, TX, sister-in-law, Ella Johnson, of Groton, SD, Sue Buell, Ajax, Canada, and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in the First Lutheran Church with Pastor Stephen Haverlah officiating. Burial will follow in Sunrise Cemetery. The family of Arlys Zoellner will receive friends from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Memorial contribution can be made to the First Lutheran Church or Kansas State University Foundation under the Keith and Arlys Zoellner Memorial Dissertation Award within the Department of Animal Science and Industry (D98010) and left in care of the Carlson's Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home of Manhattan.