Obituary of Arlene C. Stene

Arlene C. Stene, age 87, passed away surrounded by family on January 9, 2016. She will be remembered for her unwavering faith, her genuinely kind heart, and the way she cherished her family. Born in 1928 to Myrtle and Olin Nelson near Lodi, WI and graduated from Waldorf College in Forest City, IA, her first job was as a medical transcriptionist at Columbia Hospital in Milwaukee, WI. She moved to Minneapolis and worked at American Lutheran Church headquarters. Through friend and roommate, Viola Ryberg (Stene), she met Vi's brother, Marlin Stene, who was attending Luther Seminary. Arlene and Marlin eventually married and moved to their first parish in Manitowac, WI. Arlene embraced the role of Pastor's wife and mother of four. She and Rev. Stene moved to Beloit, WI, followed by Chicago, IL, before returning to Minneapolis, raising their family in Crystal, MN. Arlene later worked as a special education aide and a central library clerk in the Robbinsdale School District. Following retirement, she and Marlin moved to Chanhassen, MN, followed by Edina, MN. She spent as much time with her grandkids as possible, and will be missed immensely by her whole family. Even as her health deteriorated, Arlene often made us smile with her quick wit and consistent, incredibly kind concern for others. She is survived by Marlin, her husband of 61 years, and their four children, Rebecca (Renee Allbright) of Sacramento, CA, Erik (Lisa) of Eden Prairie, MN, John (Cindy) of Grand Rapids, MN, and Karen Doenges (Dan) of Chaska, MN. Arlene is also survived by her sisters, Ruth Krueger, Lodi, WI, Jan (Gordon) McChesney, Madison, WI, sister- and brother-in-law, Vi and Bert Ryberg, sister-in-law Arlene Stene (Rusche), numerous cousins, twelve grandchildren, one great granddaughter, and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held Saturday, January 23 at 1:30, with a Memorial Service at 2:30, followed by coffee and desserts at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 8400 France Avenue South, Bloomington, MN 55431 . In lieu of flowers, Arlene's family requests donations be sent to N.C. Little Memorial Hospice (7019 Lynmar Lane, Edina, MN 55435), where Arlene was cared for so compassionately and expertly during her final weeks. (littlehospice.org)