Arylin Harsin, 70

Arylin Harsin, 70, of OKreek, SD passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021 at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD.

Family services were held on Monday, Jan. 11, 2021 at 11 a.m. at the Mason Funeral Home in Winner, SD. Burial  followed in the Hillview Cemetery in Dallas, SD. 

Arylin Robert Harsin was born on Feb. 7, 1950 in Rosebud, the oldest child of Cecil and Leona (Nightpipe) Harsin. He was raised in Gregory with his five brothers and sisters. Arylin graduated from Gregory High School in 1969.

Arylin attended Southern State University in Springfield and Mt. Marty College in Yankton, graduating in 1983 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology. He worked for a time at a halfway house in Yankton, then returned to Gregory to work at Krotters Lumber. He continued his work in construction, working as a self-employed contractor in Sioux Falls. Arylin then worked as a construction supervisor with the Rosebud Housing Authority for nearly 20 years, maintaining and rehabbing homes in the local reservation communities. He retired in 2017 to a quiet life of hunting, fishing, and NASCAR with beloved dogs Izzy, Jack, and Maggy.

He suffered ill health the past year, losing his battle at Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls on Jan. 5, 2021 at the age of 70.

Arylin was beloved Uncle Arlie to his nieces and nephews, teaching them to fish and play cards. He is fondly remembered for horseplay, letting the nieces punch him in the stomach. He enjoyed pheasant hunts with his brothers-in-law. He and his brother, James, took loving care of their mother day and night as she fought cancer the last five years of her life. Arylin ended every phone call to his sisters with “I love you.”

Arylin will be greatly missed by his father Cecil Harsin and wife, Linda, brother Jim Harsin, sisters Leigh Lyon, Jean Cole, and Lynda (Tom) Ehrich, sister-in-law Michelle Harsin, as well as his nieces, Carmen Hutchison, Rhiana Limpus, Melissa Harsin, Misty McGaugh, Wendi Cole, and nephews, Douglas Cole, Jr. Craig Lyon, Ryan Cole, Dhani Cole, Joshua Harsin, Scott and Shawn Harsin, his aunts and uncles, good friend Dewey Foote and many other friends and family. Arylin was preceded in death by his mother, Leona, brother Louie Harsin, and brother-in-law Randy Lyon.