Arlys Stanga, 89, of Sioux Falls passed away on September 24, 2026, at Ridgeview Waconia Hospital in Waconia, MN. Funeral services will held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls on Saturday, October 3. Visitation will begin at 10 am with a service at 11 am, followed by a light lunch. Burial will take place at Center Free Lutheran Cemetery, rural Salem, at 2:30 pm. The funeral service will be live-streamed and a link will be posted on the Kinzley Funeral Home website.
Arlys was born on September 19, 1937 to Henry and Louise (Lundgren) Pearson on the family farm in Center, SD, near Salem. She first attended country school, then graduated from Salem High School. On June 2, 1957, Arlys married Alan Stanga at the Swedish Lutheran Church at Center. They celebrated 64 years of marriage before Alan passed away in 2021. With this union, Alan and Arlys joyfully brought up their two daughters, Patricia and Angela and one son, Douglas.
Arlys attended the Stewart’s School of Hairstyling in Sioux Falls. She excelled as a hairdresser and then a teacher in Stewart’s School. With her skills, she was able to put her husband through college at Augustana in Sioux Falls and graduate school at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. Arlys worked for Stewart’s her entire career, opening salons in Rock Valley, Iowa and in Iowa City. She continued this career even as they began to raise their children, first Patty in Rock Valley, then Angie and Doug in Sioux Falls. Arlys was a devoted, wife, daughter, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, friend, neighbor and coworker. She loved coming alongside Alan in his career as a supporter, chaperone on countless choir trips, hairdresser for musicals; assisting Alan and his coworkers however she could. They were true help mates. Alan was her beloved, and Arlys was his beloved. The miles they travelled together are near uncountable. They began their travels in 1960 with a six week European tour with the Augustana College Choir. Their travels continued on multiple trips to Europe as well as many other destinations with choirs, dear friends and family. As a couple, they enjoyed hosting many gatherings. Arlys was an excellent cook and together they thoroughly enjoyed great, joy filled conversations with many friends and family. She grew up in a family of faith and often shared God’s love with others through the gift of hospitality.
After Alan’s death, Arlys made her home at Touchmark at All Saints in Sioux Falls, where she quickly made new friends and connected with old friends. There she experienced a very loving community. She helped others in their time of need, and others helped her in her time of need. Her family is grateful for the loving kindness Arlys experienced during these last 5 years since Alan’s death.
Arlys is survived by her children: Patty Scholl, Angie (Tim) Hitterdal, and Doug (Heather) Stanga; grandchildren Christopher Krumvieda, Christian and Corrina Scholl, Anna (Kevin) Horner, Erika (Jaden) Kasel, Brooke (Matt) Laabs, and Luke Stanga; great-grand daughter Korra Scholl; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Alan, her parents, Henry and Louise Pearson; stepfather Rex Sheild, stepfather Edwin Wobig; brother, Eldon Pearson; sister-in-law, Lujeanne Larson; sister-in-law, Darlene Stephenson; an infant sister; Son-in-law Bruce Scholl and Will Schubert.
