View the wake here. View the mass here. 

Paul A. Mardian, 86, of Aberdeen, SD, passed away on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at his home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Aberdeen, SD.

A time for fellowship and luncheon will follow Mass at the parish hall.

Burial will be at Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 13, at Schriver's Memorial Chapel with a 7:00 p.m. liturgical wake and rosary service. Visitation continues one hour before the service.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the American Legion Post 259, 409 Broadway Street, Roscoe, SD 57471.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.schriversmemorial.com. Services will be recorded and posted on Schriver’s Facebook following the service.

Paul Anton Mardian was born on May 6, 1939, the first son of W. P. and Eva (Kraft) Mardian in Roscoe, SD. Paul grew up working in his dad’s fur and metal business, was nourished by his mother’s amazing cooking and love, and fostered relationships with family and friends that would last his lifetime. Paul graduated from Roscoe High School in 1958. He joined the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, when he married Arlene Cunningham of Onaka, SD. They made their first home in Oklahoma before he was deployed to Korea for duty in the DMZ.

Paul returned from Korea in the fall of 1960 when his son, Allen, was about 9 months old. He rejoined the family fur and metal business. Paul and Arlene made a habit of moving about the Dakotas, with a short stint in Iowa, while raising their three children. Paul’s work ethic and business acuity were evident in his success as a scrap metal dealer and fur buyer for the majority of his working years. He was proud of his family’s business legacy throughout the Dakotas and beyond. He was recognized as “Fur Buyer of the Year” by a national, professional organization, yet was never too proud to do any job that needed doing.

Paul, along with Arlene, his enthusiastic and willing partner in all fun things, enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He loved playing cards, dancing, and celebrating holidays and special events. Paul loved to tell stories and was always eager to share his love of and pride in all things South Dakota with everyone he met. Paul had a knack for discovering elusive connections between two people, whether it was through familial relationships, geographic proximity, or some other vague or previously undisclosed factor.

Paul enjoyed cheering on local and regional football and basketball teams, and he spent many weekends watching his children and grandchildren’s participation in their local sports. Paul was extremely proud of his three children and eight grandchildren. He was never without a story of praise for them, and he spent as much time as possible visiting them and sharing in their lives and special events.

After retirement, Paul and Arlene spent their time at Mina Lake, traveling around the country in their RV, spending winters in Arizona, summers in the Dakotas, and seeing the glorious sights in so many of our beautiful United States. Paul loved visiting family and friends across the country and especially enjoyed bringing Roscoe’s classmates together for reunions near their hometown as often as possible.

Paul’s greatest expression of love, compassion, and patience was the selfless care and protection he gave his wife and our mother over the last five years. As much as Arlene’s dementia progressed, his steadfastness and resolve to care for her grew ever stronger.

Paul is survived by Arlene, his wife of 67 years; son Allen (Dee) of Boise ID, daughters Pam (Ron) Guy of Minneapolis, MN, and Nancy (Mike) Sanford of Aurora, MN; eight grandchildren: Daniel, Michael and Steven Guy, Emily (Jason) Stotts, Marcus (Kelsie), Jack, and Eva Abfalter, and Anna Sanford; four great-grandchildren: Scotta, Ruthie and Frances Abfalter, and Gemma Stotts; three sisters: Betty (Merle) Kost, Angelina Brandner, and Deloris Bachman, and one brother, Kenneth Mardian; two sisters-in-law Judy Mardian and Cindy Mardian; four stepchildren, five step grandchildren, countless cousins, nieces, nephews, and something-in-laws; and an infinite number of friends, neighbors and acquaintances.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Jerry, Leroy, and Clarence Mardian, and one sister, Ramona (George) Hague; two brothers-in-law, Clem Brandner and Delbert Bachman; aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, and friends too numerous to mention. Paul was blessed by so many throughout his life.