Arlene Alice Lorenzen Bahls, 89, died Wednesday, May 10, 2006, at the Parkview Care Center in Buffalo, Minnesota.

Arlene was born on Oct. 5, 1916, to Thomas Henry and Marie Catherine Kroger Lorenzen in Manning, Iowa. She married Harold Henry “Fritz” Bahls Dec. 19, 1931.

In her early years, Arlene helped deliver and take care of babies and the new mothers. When Harold joined the Navy during World War II, Arlene went to work at the Hormel Plant in Austin. When Harold returned home from the service they bought a home in Mapleview and Arlene became a Deputy Clerk for the City of Mapleview until her retirement in 1988. She also served as an honorary Police Matron.

Arlene was an active member of the St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Church Circle, Sewing Club, Women’s Club, Ladies auxiliary of the Eagle, American Legion and the VFW. She also volunteered for the American Red Cross on the Blood Mobile and was a member of the Austin Bowling Hall of Fame.

In 2001, Arlene and Harold moved to Delano to be closer to their girls. In 2003, they moved to Parkview Care Center. After 73 years of marriage, Arlene lost Harold on Sept. 5, 2005.

Arlene was preceded in death by her husband, Harold, her parents Thomas and Marie, son Larry

Bahls, Daughter Evelyn Fitzgerald Dulitz, sister Maxine Tesch, and all her brothers and sisters-in-law.

She is survived by daughters Connie (Michael) Sershen, Delano, Pam (Lance) Scott, Buffalo. Grandchildren CJ (Joe Prihoda) Fitzgerald, Prior Lake, Michele (Ray Tollers) Fitzgerald, Duluth, Shaanan (James) Sullivan, Hanover, Mindy (Kevin) Schroeder, Danielle (James Good) Sershen, New Hope, Todd (Colleen) Sershen, Dexter, Rod (Nicole) Sershen, Elisabeth City, NC, and Caitlin Scott, Buffalo.

Great-grandchildren Jazz and Sage Fitzgerald-Prihoda, Tayler and Chandler Tollers, Vatia Schroeder, Jesse and Jared Sullivan, Faith and Maddy Sershen. Brother Lorenz Lorenzen, Rochester, many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and caregivers at Parkview Care Center and Kathy of North Memorial Hospice Home Care.

Arlene will be missed by all that knew and loved her. She was ready to join her husband, son, daughter and other friends and family members with God in heaven where she is probably dancing, bowling and playing cards everyday.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 16, 2006, 1:30 p.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church with The Reverend Ron Barnett officiating. Interment will be in the Grandview Cemetery in Austin. Visitation will be Monday, May 15, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary and at the Church on Tuesday for one hour before the service.