Arlene Kleine

Arlene Clara Sanders was born the youngest of four children on August 19, 1928, in Watonwan County, near St. James, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Harry and Clara Sanders. Arlene was baptized in 1928 and later confirmed in 1942 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in St. James. She attended grade school in Comfrey and parochial school in St. James. After her family moved to Lynd in 1942, Arlene attended the Lynd High School for 2 years.

On July 1, 1944, Arlene was united in marriage to Fred John Kleine in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The couple made their home and farmed just southwest of Marshall near Lynd, on a farm which Arlene was proud to call her home for 70 years until her time of death. Arlene was a loving homemaker, partner in the farm, and mother to six children: Duane, Charleen, Dennis, Donald, Douglas, and Cheryl. Arlene was proud of the house she kept and the family that she raised. She was a hard worker and a vital part of the farming operation, which was recognized by Minnesota Farm Bureau in 2008 as a “Century Farm”.

Arlene was very proud of her Wisconsin Synod Lutheran faith as she was a faithful life-long member of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Marshall and was active in the church’s Ladies Aid until the time of her death. Her enjoyments in life included her work on the farm and in the home, and she especially enjoyed and gave thanks to the Lord whenever her entire family could be together. In her earlier years she enjoyed gardening, the Jolly Juniors neighborhood card club, and being a 4-H leader of the Lynd Lions 4-H club.

Arlene Kleine passed away on Wednesday, December 10, 2014, in Marshall, Minnesota at the age of 86 years, 3 months and 21 days. Blessed be her memory.

Arlene is survived by her children, Duane Kleine and special friend, Donna Crocker, of Cottage Grove, MN, Charleen Helgesen and her husband, John, of Battle Lake, MN, Dennis Kleine and his wife, Delores, of Marshall, MN, Donald Kleine and his wife, Jill, of Alexandria, MN, Douglas Kleine and his wife, Brenda, of Lynd, MN, Cheryl Koenen and her husband, Kevin, of Apple Valley, MN; 12 grandchildren; 6 step-grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; sister, Ethel Finger of Springfield, MN; sister-in-law, Marion Sanders of Arden Hills, MN; and many beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Arlene is preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Clara Sanders; husband, Fred Kleine; granddaughter, Melissa Kleine; brothers, Harvey Sanders and Marland (Gladys) Sanders, and brother-in-law Albert Finger.