Arlene Wanke
d. January 23, 2022
Arlene Wanke, age 87, of Montevideo, Minnesota passed away Sunday, January 23, 2022 at Homefront Assisted Living in Montevideo.
Funeral Service will be Saturday, January 29, 2022 at 2:00 PM at Trinity Lutheran Church in Boyd. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
Visitation will be Saturday, January 29, 2022 from 1:00 to 2:00 PM, one hour prior to the service at the church.
Arlene was born on April 18th, 1934 in Boyd, Minnesota to Edwin and Elizabeth (Aakre) Larson. She was baptized, attended Sunday School and made confession of faith in the Lutheran tradition. Arlene grew up surrounded by her large family of six siblings. Arlene was influenced by her family to be a loving and caring woman, always giving her time and gifts to others which she incorporated into her motherhood. She was a very loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother always making others laugh by telling jokes and finding humor in everyday circumstances. Her favorite activities were gardening, making jewelry, baking and spending quality time with family.
Arlene attended St. Cloud State University as a non-traditional student in her fifties, exceling in her studies as she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Education with honors. After graduating she worked as a Sears professional for over 25 years. She loved this career as it gave her the opportunity to interact with others and share her love of conversation. Later in Arlene’s life she discovered the joy of traveling; she visited Virginia, Texas, Las Vegas, Florida, Colorado, North Dakota, Mazatlan and Cozumel Mexico, Honduras, and Belize.
Arlene touched so many lives, was one of a kind and will never be forgotten. We will hold her in our hearts forever.
Arlene is survived by her five children: Thomas Jr. (Beverly) Wanke of Montevideo, MN; Rhonda Wanke of Montevideo, MN; Gregory Scott Wanke of St. Cloud, MN; Liza (Jon) Morris of Underwood, MN; Linda (Craig) Lovold of Spicer, MN; Sandra (Jay) Norberg of Pipestone, MN; fifteen grandchildren: Joseph Wanke, Sarah Vonderharr, Elizabeth (Andy) Torgerson, Jacob (Beth) Wanke, Matt (Brittany) Wanke, Tonya (Danny) Sinner, Jason Wanke, Shannon (Sam) Ebenreiter, Tanner Hilden, Austin Lovold, Sydney Lovold, Zoey Lovold, Zachary (Sophie) Sparrow, Whitney (Mason) Reynolds, Cody Norberg; and twenty-four great grandchildren.
Arlene was preceded in death by her parents; her brother Edwin Larson; sister Shirley Larson; her beloved son Dennis Wanke and grandsons Justin Wanke and Justun Wanke.
Funeral Service will be Saturday, January 29, 2022 at 2:00 PM at Trinity Lutheran Church in Boyd. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
Visitation will be Saturday, January 29, 2022 from 1:00 to 2:00 PM, one hour prior to the service at the church.
Arlene was born on April 18th, 1934 in Boyd, Minnesota to Edwin and Elizabeth (Aakre) Larson. She was baptized, attended Sunday School and made confession of faith in the Lutheran tradition. Arlene grew up surrounded by her large family of six siblings. Arlene was influenced by her family to be a loving and caring woman, always giving her time and gifts to others which she incorporated into her motherhood. She was a very loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother always making others laugh by telling jokes and finding humor in everyday circumstances. Her favorite activities were gardening, making jewelry, baking and spending quality time with family.
Arlene attended St. Cloud State University as a non-traditional student in her fifties, exceling in her studies as she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Education with honors. After graduating she worked as a Sears professional for over 25 years. She loved this career as it gave her the opportunity to interact with others and share her love of conversation. Later in Arlene’s life she discovered the joy of traveling; she visited Virginia, Texas, Las Vegas, Florida, Colorado, North Dakota, Mazatlan and Cozumel Mexico, Honduras, and Belize.
Arlene touched so many lives, was one of a kind and will never be forgotten. We will hold her in our hearts forever.
Arlene is survived by her five children: Thomas Jr. (Beverly) Wanke of Montevideo, MN; Rhonda Wanke of Montevideo, MN; Gregory Scott Wanke of St. Cloud, MN; Liza (Jon) Morris of Underwood, MN; Linda (Craig) Lovold of Spicer, MN; Sandra (Jay) Norberg of Pipestone, MN; fifteen grandchildren: Joseph Wanke, Sarah Vonderharr, Elizabeth (Andy) Torgerson, Jacob (Beth) Wanke, Matt (Brittany) Wanke, Tonya (Danny) Sinner, Jason Wanke, Shannon (Sam) Ebenreiter, Tanner Hilden, Austin Lovold, Sydney Lovold, Zoey Lovold, Zachary (Sophie) Sparrow, Whitney (Mason) Reynolds, Cody Norberg; and twenty-four great grandchildren.
Arlene was preceded in death by her parents; her brother Edwin Larson; sister Shirley Larson; her beloved son Dennis Wanke and grandsons Justin Wanke and Justun Wanke.
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