Arlene Selzler, age 74, of Waubun, MN, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at her home with her family under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.
Arlene Dorothy Heilman, daughter of Lorenz and Elizabeth (Voeller) Heilman, was born on June 16, 1937 in Wellsburg, ND. She grew up on a farm in Esmond, ND and attended North Fork country school through the 8th grade. Arlene then attended high school in Selz, ND and later at St. Mary's in Devils Lake, ND graduating with the class of 1955. Following high school, Arlene moved to Fargo, ND and worked as a waitress at the Bison Café. In October of 1956, she moved to Puyallup, WA where she met the love of her life, Leonard Selzler. On July 6, 1957 the couple was united in marriage and to this union came three sons. They made their home in Renton, WA until 1973 at which time they moved to a farm near Waubun. In 1974, Arlene began working at the Witchcraft factory in Waubun and planted trees for the Forestry Department. She started working at the Pinehurst Resort restaurant in 1975 and continued until her retirement in 2005. Following Leonard's death in 1988, Arlene lived on the farm until moving into Waubun in 2007.
Arlene was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Beaulieu, MN. She was devoted to her faith and was frequently found helping in the church kitchen. Arlene also enjoyed being outdoors, working in the yard and bird watching. She was a gifted singer and, in their younger years, often harmonized with Leonard. Her family and friends were the highlight of her life; Arlene cherished a lunch date or a simple visit with those she loved.
Arlene is survived by three sons: James (Renita) of Waubun, John (Sally Blake) of Lakewood, WA, and David (Christy Warren) of Waubun; five grandchildren: John Nathan Selzler, Leonard Keegan Selzler, Jeremy (Rachel) Vanderplatts, Natalie (Dave) McArthur, and Kevin (Cheyenne) Vanderplatts; six great grandchildren: Kieran Allen, Jenna, Dylan, Jasmine, Paige, and Macie; eight sisters: Lena, Ruth, Viola, Lillian, Lorraine, Anna Rose, Eleanor, and Margie.
She was preceded death by her parents; her husband; three brothers: Henry, Larry, Edwin; and three sisters: Irene, Isabelle, and Angela.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00am on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Beaulieu, MN. Serving as pallbearers will be Ken Lhotka, Ken Fairbanks, Steve Guenther, Steve Paul, Glen Swanson, Rob Pavek, and Dale Spaeth. Honorary bearers will be Betty Ingebrigtson, Madeline Benson, Minnie Borgrud, Geraldine Aanerud, Phyllis Otterstetter, Betty Benson, Betty Aanerud, and Marge Rothschadl.
Visitation will be held on Monday, March 5th from 5:00pm until 7:00pm, with a Prayer Service beginning at 6:30pm, all at the Anderson-Mattson Funeral Home in Mahnomen.
Interment will be in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Beaulieu.