Arlene Edlund, 81, of Fertile MN, died on Monday, December 22, 2014, at the Villa St. Vincent nursing home in Crookston, MN. Muriel Arlene was born on August 30, 1933, to James and Verna (Kaffka) Hawley in KauKauna, WI. She was baptized in Whittier, CA, and later confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church, rural Fertile. After graduated from Whittier High School in 1951, she worked at Sears in the accounting department and later in the office at Helm's Bakery. Arlene met Arne in California through a mutual friend. They were married on October 22, 1954, and settled on the Edlund farm south of Fertile. Their five children were raised on a working family farm growing a variety of crops, tending dairy cattle and chickens, along with haying, gardening, and canning.

Arlene worked a variety of jobs while an active partner with the farm and family: waitress at the Town and Country Cafe, driving potato truck for Brandt farms near Ada, MN, clerking at Eide's Store for 20 years, and later working at Variety Plus in Fertile. While she raised her children, she served as Girl Scout leader, Sunday school and VBS teacher, and Release Time instructor, sharing her love of God with many. Arne and Arlene were foster parents to three at-risk girls in their home for a few years, as well. This great love of children led her to volunteer in the Foster Grandparent Program at the Fertile-Beltrami School. She endeared herself to many young students through her love and attention to their education and personal well-being.

Arlene was an energetic big-city girl who grew to love the ways of Minnesota farm life. She prospered both in the rural setting and in the small town environment. She spent her days actively engaged in the daily work of the farm, in her large productive gardens, and at her jobs in town. Above all, she kept her family first, dedicating herself as a wife, mother, and grandmother and accepting and caring for each person with gentleness and patience. She will be remembered for her positive attitude of laughter, hugs, and selfless action. She was intent on making everyone feel special. Her passion for sewing, knitting, and quilting became a personal mission of outreach to her family and countless others in need. Baby quilts and knitted baby sweaters found their way far and wide. She made it a point to acknowledge her many blessings and was openly grateful for them. She cherished her husband and loved her family deeply and unconditionally. In later years as her health declined, she continued to be the hub of the family as they cared for her and gathered around her. Arlene was a compassionate, prayerful Christian woman who witnessed for Christ through her example of strength, kindness and faith. Blessed be her memory.

Arlene was preceded in death by her parents, husband Arne, son Rick, brother Jerry Hawley, son-in-law Steven Josephson, brother-in-law H.R. Rouse, brother- and sister-in-law Walter and Lucille Johnson.

Surviving family members are: daughters Sue (Lowell) Ostenson; Sharon Josephson; Sandy (Dean) Rasmussen; son Donovan (Dawn) Edlund. Fourteen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren survive: Kris (Chad) Smith and Valerie; Angie (Jay) Morgan and Evan; Ryan Edlund and Calissa, Adler, and Birdie; Eric Ostenson; Scott Ostenson and Mikkel; Kelsi and Houman Ghajari and Zal; Danielle Edlund and Madilyn; Beth (Erik) Fladhammer; Joey Rasmussen (fiancée Leslie); Katie (James) Inlow; Isaac (Hollie) Edlund; Hannah (Ethan) Pilger and Thorvin; Josh Edlund; Luke Edlund; and other cousins, nieces, and nephews. Also surviving are brother James (Lois) Hawley, Brush, CO; sister Priscilla Rouse, Stigler, OK; sister-in-law Annette (Ogden) Farder, Erskine, MN.


Memorial services will be held on Friday, January 16, 2014, at 2:30 PM in the Resurrection Free Lutheran Church, Beltrami, MN.

Visitation will be one before the services in the church.

Burial will be in the spring at the South Side Cemetery, rural Fertile.