Having fulfilled his mission of caring for Marjorie, his beloved wife of 65 years until her death in January, Arthur Gerald VanderWaal of Brookings died on April 11, 2023, at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls at the age of 94.  Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. on Monday, April 17 ^th at First Presbyterian Church in Brookings with burial to follow at Greenwood Cemetery.  Visitations will be from 3-5 P.M. on Sunday at Eidsness Funeral Home.

Art was born on January 25, 1929, in Volga, SD, the only child of Gerrit and Agnes (Olson) VanderWaal. He received his education in rural Brookings County School District #78 and was a graduate of the Sinai High School. Art served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict and was stationed at Landis De Bussac, France.

He was united in marriage to Marjorie Bebensee on September 22, 1957, in rural Elkton, SD.  After their marriage they farmed in rural Brookings for many years. Post-farming, Art worked for 15 years for the Brookings School District.  He was also employed on a part-time basis by Moriarty Rentals.

Art was a member of First Presbyterian Church.  He served on several boards for the Red Angus Association, was a 4-H leader, treasurer of Medary Township and trustee of First Presbyterian. Art was also many times the state champion of the South Dakota Hand Cornhusking contest in the 75+ division.

He is survived by sons Brian VanderWaal (Jeff Hlavacek) of Minneapolis, Paul VanderWaal (Paul Kirkman) of Remer, MN, Mark (Rachelle) VanderWaal of Edgerton, MN; grandchildren Brady and Tanner VanderWaal, Gerrit VanderWaal (Jessi Wightman) and Dina VanderWaal.

The family thanks the staff of StoneyBrook Suites for the excellent care both Art and Marj received while living there.

Memorials preferred to the Brookings Domestic Abuse Shelter. Art couldn't understand how someone could abuse another person. https://brookingsdomesticabusesheltersd.weebly.com/donate