Artilda F. Haffner, 87
Artilda F. Haffner met Jesus face to face in the late afternoon of Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, held in the arms of her two children in her home, following a recent diagnosis of cancer. She was surrounded by the same love she spent a lifetime giving away. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, August 28, 2026 at 5 p.m. at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory in Sioux Falls.
Artilda was born in Grenville, S.D., on Aug. 6, 1939, the youngest of four children born to Frank and Eva Block. She was 87 years old. She grew up on the family farm, where – according to her sisters – she managed to avoid most of the hard chores simply by being the baby of the family. It was on that farm that she first fell in love with animals and country living, a love that would stay with her for the rest of her life.
When Artilda was 10, the family moved to Sioux Falls. Just five years later, she met her future husband, Donald L. Haffner, at Pioneer Park in the Riverside neighborhood. After a short courtship, Don and Artilda eloped and were united in marriage on Feb. 4, 1956, beginning a life together that would span 65 years until Don’s passing in 2021.
Artilda gave birth to her first child, Anita, who was called to heaven shortly after birth. She was later blessed with three more children: Lana Kay, who joined her sister in heaven as a teenager; Don Jr.; and April Kelling, both of Sioux Falls.
Though Artilda never worked outside the home, she built a career of her own – one that spanned more than 70 years of endless devotion to her family. Her home was a haven for anyone, and any animal, who entered. In 1984, she and Don purchased an acreage outside Sioux Falls and built their dream home together. It was there that Artilda poured her love for God, her kindness toward others, and her care for animals into her grandchildren – Derek and Drew Haffner, and Logan and Lana Kelling – during their early childhood years.
She adored her animals – cows, horses, dogs, and cats all knew her steady, patient care. She liked her coffee weak with cream, anything sweet, and a good game of rummy with the people she loved – or a quiet game of solitaire when she was alone. And she gave the best hugs – you simply were not allowed to leave her without one, along with a kiss, no matter how quick the visit.
Artilda didn’t preach about how to live; she simply lived it. She fearlessly faced breast cancer not once, but twice. She served her church, found comfort and joy in reading her Bible, and could often be found kneeling quietly in prayer at night before bed. She loved the Lord with her whole heart, and she carried a deep, unshaken understanding that faith, humility, and trust in God endure even through the suffering we can sometimes face here on earth.
Artilda leaves behind a legacy of living a life of kindness, staying humble, and endlessly giving – a woman who put everyone else first and asked for nothing in return. She is remembered by her children, Don Haffner, Jr. and April (Jason) Kelling; her grandchildren, Derek Haffner (Eldis Rivera), Drew (Brianna) Haffner, and Logan (Carmen Moeller – fiancé) and Lana Kelling; seven great-grandchildren, Dawson, Leo, Aiden, Cooper, Rhea, Quill, and Isabella; sister, Angie Reiter; sister-in-law, Joyce Block; brothers-in-law, Jim Thuringer and Guy (Barb) Haffner; and countless other family members, friends, and even animals who were fortunate enough to feel her care.
She was preceded in death by her daughters, Anita and Lana; her parents, Frank and Eva Block; her husband, Don Haffner; her sister, Eleanor Mullenix; her brother, Leonard Block; and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
Artilda’s life was a quiet, faithful testimony to love – for God, for family, and for anyone who needed it. She is home now, reunited with those who went before her, resting in the arms of the Lord she trusted all along.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society.
