Arden I. Maude

Arden I. Maude, 94, of Enning, SD, died August 7, 2022, at Fort Meade Veterans Hospital, Fort Meade, SD.

Arden was born March 6, 1928, at Vermillion, SD to William C. Maude and Nellie M. (Gray) Maude.  With the exception of military service, he spent his life in western South Dakota.  At an early age, the family moved to a ranch on the Cheyenne River southwest of Creston, SD, where he spent his childhood years with three older brothers and a younger brother and sister.  He attended Rapid City High School, and at the end of his junior year, enlisted in the Army at Ft. Omaha, NE, in Sept 1946.  After completion of basic training, he was assigned to HQ Battery, 339th Field Artillery Battalion in Italy as part of the Army of Occupation, moving men and material and guarding prisoners of war.  Upon separating from the Army in Dec 1947, he completed high school in Rapid City and was a construction worker on the Angostura Dam near Hot Springs.  There he met and married Irma F. Mills on June 4, 1950, in Hot Springs and to that union were born two children, David and Rebecca.  During the early years of their marriage, he worked throughout western South Dakota at a variety of ranch jobs; custom haying, foreman of a large sheep ranch, ranch custodian.  In 1959, he bought a propane delivery and ranch repair business at Enning, SD, and for the next 55 years, he would be Mr. Fixit for the ranchers and farmers of central Meade County, repairing machinery, creating specialty items on request, and ensuring warmth during the cold winter months.  He loved the challenges brought to him and was happiest creating solutions to mechanical problems while visiting with his neighbors and customers. When not helping others, he enjoyed building model radio-controlled airplanes and hunting, especially trying to sneak up on ducks on the local stock dams!

Arden had a strong interest in the local community and always stood ready to help: fuel deliveries late at night in near blizzard conditions, a neighbor needing quick repairs, mentoring young men interested in repair work, or assisting in the startup of a local volunteer fire department and ambulance service.  For over 30 years, he would be instrumental in maintaining the fire vehicles in ready status and was a willing and immediate volunteer fire truck and ambulance driver.  His faith in his Lord was strong, solid, and unwavering, actively serving in his church in numerous areas.  As he aged, in the early 2000's, he sold his propane delivery business but continued to operate his farm repair business until a serious head injury in 2015 forced him to stop working.  He spent his last years with his son and daughter-in-law, living in Black Hawk, SD, until declining health forced him into hospital at Ft Meade.  For those of you who were blessed to know him, he was somewhat of an enigma: a man known for his gruffness, but also for his wit, soft heart, smile and ready laugh. Dubbed by his VA nurses and caretakers as the Gentle Cowboy, he had a laugh that was like no other. In his lifetime here on this earth, he never fully understood the impact that he had on those around him but he does now!  He is greatly missed.

Arden is survived by his children, son David (Liz) Maude of Black Hawk, SD and daughter Becky (Don) Martini of Lawrenceville, GA; 6 grandchildren, Nikki (Jason), Jessi, Christian (Paige), James (Jana), Paul, and Louise (Sam); and 15 great grandchildren, Dylan (Bailey), Veva, Paxton, Michael, Finn, Kepi, Isabella, Samuel, Sarah, Rhenley, Gaven, Emma, Donovan, Wyatt, and Kyler.  

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, four brothers and a sister.

Memorial services will be Friday, August 19, 2022, 11:00 a.m., at the Central Meade County Community Center, Union Center, SD, with Pastor Harold Delbridge officiating.  Honor Guard tribute will follow immediately following the service.  Private inurnment will be at a later date at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kinkadefunerals.com.