Arleen Johnson, age 90, of St. James, died on Thursday, May 27, 2010, at Pleasant View Good Samaritan Center in St. James.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 1, 2010, at LaSalle Lutheran Church in LaSalle with the Rev. Mary Suomala-Folkerds officiating. Burial will be at Albion Lutheran Cemetery in rural St. James.
Visitation will be Monday, May 31, 2010, from 4 until 8 p.m. at Sturm Funeral Home in St. James and will continue one hour before the services at the church on Tuesday.
Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in St. James. You may send the family condolences online at www.sturmfh.com.
Arleen Mildred Chalin was born on Aug. 7, 1919, near St. James, the daughter of Arvid & Mildred (Etter) Chalin. Arleen grew up on the family farm and graduated from Madelia High School. She attended Gustavus Adolphus College for three years. She married Amos Hovde in 1940 and they made their home on the family farm in rural Hanska. Following Amos’ death Arleen returned to school and earned her education degree at Mankato State College. She taught school in LaSalle and St. James for 22 years. In 1966 she married Arnold Johnson and they continued to farm and blend their families into one. They moved into LaSalle and in 2003 into St. James.
Arleen was an avid reader, she enjoyed traveling, bingo and doing volunteer work. She volunteered at Pleasent View for over 30 years. She was a lifelong learner and loved visiting with family and friends.
Arleen was a member of Albion Lutheran Church where she was active in Sunday School serving as superintendent for many years, active with the Ladies Aid serving as president and treasurer. She was also active with the Home Council & Extension Club, 4-H and served as Bible study leader at LaSalle Lutheran Church, where she was a member. She was a second term president of the Homestead Co-op where she lived.
Arleen was preceded in death by both husbands Amos and Arnold, a brother Kenneth Chalin and a sister Lorraine Stone. She is survived by her children Tom (Karen) Hovde of Burnsville, Bonnie (John) Melton of League City, Texas, Judy (Dale) Johnson of Willmar, Sue (Steve) Davis of Rochester, Bob (Karen) Johnson of Kansas City, Mo., Dennis (Linda) Johnson of Lewisville, Dave (Nancy) Johnson of Surprise, Ariz., 14 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter and her extended family at Homestead.