Arlene Balderston

Arlene E. Balderston, 99, of Olivia, formerly of Spicer, died Sunday, July 5 at Parkview Village in Olivia. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 am, Friday, July 10 at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church in Spicer. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at the church cemetery. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson & Johnson Funeral Home in Willmar.

Arlene Balderston was born on January 17, 1927, in Lake Lillian to Joe and Mary (Steffel) Shamla. She spent her early years in Lake Lillian before her family moved to a farm near Bird Island. Arlene attended country school and later graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Bird Island in 1946.

On October 7, 1947, she married Remas “Raye” Balderston at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Together they were blessed with four sons and made their home in rural Olivia.

Arlene devoted many years to caring for her family as a homemaker. After her children were grown, she began working at Fingerhut in Bird Island, where she remained for 20 years. In 1988, Arlene and Raye moved to Nest Lake, and she started working as a housekeeper at Glen Oaks in New London. She continued in that role until retiring in 2005. Arlene and Raye cherished their years at Nest Lake and enjoyed spending time on their property there. Following Raye’s death in 2013, Arlene moved to Parkview Village in Olivia in 2018.

Arlene was a member of Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church and served as an Auxiliary member of the New London American Legion. She enjoyed cooking, crafting, gardening, and sewing. Above all, Arlene was a woman of deep faith who faithfully attended Mass throughout her life and, when she was no longer able to attend in person, continued participating by watching services on tv.

Arlene is survived by her sons, Michael of Arlington, South Dakota, Kenneth (Catherine) of Olivia, Bernard (Norma) of Olivia, and Thomas (Sandy) of Mesa, Arizona; 14 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; and her sister, Ruth Gartner of Olivia.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Raye; granddaughter, Hedy Balderston; her parents, Joe and Mary Shamla; daughter-in-law, Virginia Balderston; sister, Eleanor (Andy) Gartner; and brother-in-law, Tony Gartner.

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