Arlin LeRoy Underwood

Arlin LeRoy Underwood, age 88, of Milbank, SD, passed away on Tuesday, April 18 2023, at Milbank Area Hospital in Milbank.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 24, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Milbank, SD. Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 23, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Burial will be in the Milbank City Cemetery. The funeral service will be live-streamed and can be viewed on this page at the time of the service.

Arlin LeRoy Underwood was born on August 16, 1934, in Marvin, SD, to Frank and Mary (Pisha) Underwood. He attended country school near Marvin, SD. Arlin married Marla Jean Frerichs on January 8, 1956, in Wilmot, SD. The two moved to Wheaton, MN, for three years, and then moved to Milbank in 1959. They were blessed with ten children: five boys and five girls.

Arlin was a long-time member of Emanuel Lutheran Church in Milbank. He was a custodian at Flanery’s Meats, at St. Lawrence School, and at Milbank Public Schools, retiring at the age of 82. In his younger years, Arlin loved horses. He enjoyed fishing, going to the casino, playing the card game 31, and watching “Rasslin” on the TV. He especially enjoyed listening to classic country music of the 60’s and 70’s. Arlin’s true love was his big family; he was their supervisor and supporter. His grandkids were in awe of his good shooting while teaching them to “Duck Hunt” on the Nintendo. His children were all taught to drive by Arlin. And he taught the whole crew about their cars.

Left to cherish Arlin’s memory are his children: Ardelle (Doug) Dexter of Milbank, SD; Daniel Underwood of Milbank, SD; Gary (Jeanette) Underwood of Milbank, SD; Larry (Annie) Underwood of Milbank, SD; Steven Underwood of Milbank, SD; Dennis (Deb) Underwood of Milbank, SD; Kathy Underwood of Milbank, SD; Lisa (Brian) Dimberg of Chaska, MN; and Anita (Mike) Wendland of Milbank, SD; son-in-law, Dennis Schmitz of Brooten, MN; 16 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren; step-sister, Betty West; sister-in-law, Mable Underwood; brothers-in-law, Gene (Judy) Frerichs and Linus Jankord; many nieces and nephews. Arlin was loved by many!

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marla; daughter, Sandy Schmitz; step-father, Orin Crandall; brothers: Howard Underwood, Harold Underwood, Elmer Underwood; sisters: Lucille Jankord, Evelyn Schafer; step-brothers: Lyle Crandall, Dale Crandall, Kenneth Crandall, Orin Crandall, Jr.; step-sisters: Marie Anderson, and Elaine Reich.