Ed and Arlene raised their four children on a dairy and poultry farm near Ellendale. After the children graduated, Arlene went back to work at the Good Samaritan Nursing home in Albert Lea as a Certified Nursing Assistant. She worked there from 1983 until she retired in 2002. Arlene then worked for Home Health, and donated her time to the Hospice Organization of Albert Lea. In 1992 Ed and Arlene moved from the farm to their current residence in Clarks Grove.
Arlene belonged to the North Freeborn Church until it closed in 2000 then joined Central Freeborn Church. Arlene belonged to the Church Women and Altar Guild. She was also president of the Cancer Society.
Arlene had a beautiful and caring soul. She was one of the kindest and most generous individuals in the lives of her family and friends. She found her vocation and life’s purpose in hard work and putting people’s needs before her own. The residents and clients, for whom she cared, always carried with them her kindness and loving spirit. She was nominated “Employee of the Year” while working for the Good Samaritan Nursing Home. She came home to a surprise party in her honor to celebrate this achievement. She loved playing cards and was known to say, “Just one more hand.” Everyone loved her peaches, pickles and tomatoes she canned. She was also famous for her lefse; one season she and Ed made 300 dozen.
In addition to her husband, Arlene is survived by her four children: Keith (LuAnn) Miller of Beldenville, WI; Nancy (Carl) Anderson of Clarks Grove; Dale (Shelli) Miller of Hollandale; and Cindy (Terry) Vaith of Owatonna; ten grandchildren: Annie Baker, Ashley Miller, Nyla Anderson, Kyle Anderson, Nicholaus Miller, Luke Miller, Nicole Bartness, Corey Haugland, Brady Vaith and Cale Vaith; great-grandchildren: Sylvia and Frank Baker, Camae Anderson, Zane and Asher Miller, Miles Miller, Noah Bartness, Alera Vaith and Bentley Vaith.Arlene is also survived by her sister-in-law, Theresa Hudson.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and brother, Dewane Wright.