Arta Ethel Salisbury of Sioux Falls, SD, passed away peacefully at the age of 101 on Wednesday, February 11th, 2026, at Ava's House. She was surrounded by family.

Arta Salisbury was born in Sheridan, WY, to Arthur and Ethel Bateman in May of 1924. Arthur was killed in a mining accident just 10 days before Arta was born, so she has waited her entire life to finally meet her father. She was raised at the Wyoming Girls' School by her guardian, Minnie Martin, who worked there. Arta called her "Nan" and the two women remained close after graduation. Living at the School was a slightly unorthodox way to grow up, but it taught her so much and had a lasting impact on the rest of her life. She raised money for the School on her 100th birthday.

Arta dreamed of becoming a professional singer and studied Music and Music Education at the University of Wyoming, where she learned to play every instrument (except the harp and French Horn) and worked in the University's music library and Student Union. Life took a different turn for her, but she carried her love for music through every stage of her life.

While working at the Student Union, she met a charming fellow student named Kenneth Salisbury. Although they later learned that their orbits had intersected periodically while both growing up in Sheridan, it wasn't until they met again at the University that their relationship really took off. Ken proposed on October 1st, and after a whirlwind engagement, they were married on October 10th, 1948. Arta's mother had only 9 days to make the wedding dress, designed from one of Arta's drawings.

They began married life together, living in Sheridan. As a wedding prank, their friends had removed all the labels from the food cans they received as wedding gifts, so Arta didn't know what she was making for dinner that night until she opened up the first can. She always found a way to work with whatever life handed to her and somehow made the best of every situation.

In 1950, Ken and Arta proudly welcomed their first daughter, Westy, into the world. In 1955, their second child, Chuck, was born. He showed up a month later than his due date, so he could be his mother's May Day basket. That led to complications, and Arta was officially pronounced dead after delivering Chuck, but she disagreed with the doctor's diagnosis; she never let anyone tell her something she knew was wrong. After strict orders to never have more children, they happily welcomed their third child, Tally, into the family in 1958.

The whole family moved to Sioux Falls in 1960, but part of Arta's heart never left the Big Horn Mountains, and she made the pilgrimage back as often as possible. Life in Sioux Falls was filled to the brim with family and friendships. She was active in her church and community and gave her time and talents selflessly. Arta was a member of the Daughters of the Nile and served as Queen in 1985. She volunteered countless hours at the Shrine Circus each year and loved seeing the elephants. Arta worked at Crippled Children's Hospital & School for over 10 years as a dorm mother. She loved the kids she cared for and was always grateful to have more children to mother. She knew what it was like to grow up away from home and wanted to make a positive impact on their lives. She retired from there and spoke fondly about it for the rest of her life.

She had a special place in her heart for each of the family pets raised over the years, and a deep love for all living things. They loved her back! Arta had a way with animals that never ceased to amaze everyone around her, as if they sensed she was a safe space. The humans in her life knew it, too, and she had so much grace for everyone she met. She surrounded herself with friends and family and took great joy in the relationships she built. She enjoyed making magic in the kitchen, nurturing plants in the garden, and showing her care through sewing and crocheting. She filled her life with flowers and color and reflected the joy they brought to her family and friends.

Arta was a lifelong member of the Church and took her commitment seriously. When a priest came to her church, which she felt was not the right fit, people asked her why she didn't just leave and find a new church. Arta responded, "Why would I leave? It's my church; he can leave. I was here before him, and I'll be here after him." And she was. She played the organ for The Church of the Holy Apostles in Sioux Falls for over 45 years, beginning when it was still St. Peter's Episcopal Church, and she cherished her Faith. Her devotion flowed through her, and she had a glow about her that filled up a room, even though she was so small. Although she had multiple(!) close calls throughout her life, Arta was not afraid of dying. She trusted her relationship with the LORD implicitly and knew that when it was her time to go, she would be going home. Arta spent the last 5 years of her life at Good Samaritan Village, receiving the greatest of care from loving staff.

Ken unfortunately passed before Arta, but they enjoyed 74 wonderful years together. Their marriage was a rock in the fast-moving mountain stream of life. She is also preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Ethel; her siblings, Ellsworth, Maureen, and James; and her beloved son, Chuck. Grateful for having shared her life over the course of an entire century are her daughters, Westy (Steve) Vinson, Rochester, WA; and Tally (Paul Sneve) Salisbury, Sioux Falls, SD; daughter-in-law, Lisa; grandchildren, Jamie, Tony, Amber, Nick, Madeline, Kenny, Brittany, and Emily; great grandchildren, including Rush, Wren, Kelahni, and one on the way; one great great grandchild; and an immeasurable number of other relatives and friends.

Arta was gentle and steadfast. She had the biggest heart and somehow also a spine of steel. She was grounded in her beliefs and quietly led by example. She genuinely cared for those around her and is leaving behind a crater that no other single person could fill. The world is a better place because it met her.

A visitation will be held on Friday, February 13, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Miller Funeral Home, located at 507 S. Main Ave., Sioux Falls. The funeral service will take place at 10:00 AM on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at the Church of the Holy Apostles, located at 1415 S. Bahnson, Sioux Falls.