Arlene Clemenson
May 14, 1928 ~ December 30, 2010
Arlene E. Clemenson, 82, of Horace, ND, died Thursday, December 30, 2010, at Elim Care, Fargo.
Arlene was born May 14, 1928, in Fargo, North Dakota, daughter of Elder and Annie (Kjelland) Helling. The family lived west of Walcott, North Dakota, where they farmed. Arlene was raised and educated there. Arlene graduated from Walcott High School and attended Valley City State Teachers College. She taught at Norman Country School in rural Kindred, ND.
Arlene married Herman Clemenson March 15, 1947. They lived in Horace, ND until 2004 when they moved to Fargo. She entered Elim in 2008.
Arlene was very active in the Horace community including the Horace Lutheran Church serving as Sunday School teacher and Superintendant. She was also involved with the Horace PTA, Ladies Aid, Square Dancing and numerous other activities. She loved to cook and have family holidays. She also loved to plant flowers around her house in Horace and spend time at the lake cooking and fishing. Later in life she became active in the Horace Senior Citizen Center and the Red Hats.
She was employed by NDSU for many years as the Physical Education Equipment Manager in the Old Fieldhouse. She loved being around all of the students. A few years ago NDSU honored her by making her an Honorary Alumni.
Arlene is survived by her husband, Herman, Fargo, ND; six children: Oscar "Sonny" (Ilene), Fargo, Mary Ann "Tootie" (Gerald) Huus, West Fargo, Jim (Rosie), Washington, D.C., Collette (Jim) Vetsch, Horace, Rick (Tracey Wahl), Horace, and Wanda (Tom) Woollweever, Fargo; one sister, Norma Lively, Moorhead; one brother, Loren (Marlene) Helling, Sheridan, WY; nine grandchildren: Chad (Bree) Clemenson, Brooks Clemenson, Brandon (Angie) Johnson, Kayla (Brian) Heise, Christopher (Ali) Clemenson, Erik (Leah) Clemenson, Justin (Ruth) Clemenson, Mindy (Gerald) Fleischfresser, Brian Vetsch; ten great-grandchildren; Bailey Johnson, Alexis Johnson, Noah Fleischfresser, Grace Fleischfresser, Casey Clemenson, Jordan Clemenson, Ethan Clemenson, Eli Clemenson, Tayten Heise, Chase Clemenson, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Mary Ann, and sister, Lorene Sorlie.
Burial will be at Brinks Cemetery, Horace ND.
A special THANK YOU to the staff at Elim Care Center, especially Nurse Ryan, for going above and beyond in their care of Arlene and the family.
West Fargo Mary, Gerald and Family: I am sorry to get this message to you so late but the flu has kept me from doing a lot of things. We were sorry to read of your mom’s death and I hope that the thoughts and prayers that have come to you and your family help you during this difficult time. From what has been written about her she was quite a lady and I am sure a lot of good stories have been shared. Blessed be her memory.
Erie PAPlease accept our deepest sympathy.
Horace ND
I want to extend my condolences to your whole family. Arlene will very much be missed.
I connected with her at WELCA, she was the outgoing president and I was the incoming new president. I knew I had big shoes to fill. I really enjoyed working with her and we did have fun. We could both be mischievous and she had quite a sense of humor.
I was honored to serve at the prayer service for her family. Thank you for the opportunity to tell you.
Sincerely – God Bless
Jan Luptak
Fargo ND
So sorry for your loss. Many years ago there was a family reunion at the farm. Good memories. When Vernon was young, he mentioned riding his bike to the farm (from Moorhead with Gerald Rasmussen (deceased)) to help “work” the farm, and the fun he had riding a horse. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Fargo ND
Sorry for your loss. God is there to help you through this very difficult time. Hugs from our family to yours
Fargo ND
Family of Arlene:
I had the pleasure of knowing Arlene
for a few of her later years and would
like to express my sympathies.
While I know there are many stories
you must be reviewing, I’d like to
mention one quality of her living.
On her trip to Norway a few years
ago she brought me several coins.
How thoughtful! Please know that
I use them in the summertime as
ball markers when I golf. Just
one of many ways she’ll remain
in our thoughts.
G. Hauge, Ph.D.
Fargo ND
Sonny & Eileen,
So sorry to hear about your Mom. You have our love, our prayers and our deepest sympathies. Arlene will be greatly missed by her family and her many friends. May beautiful memories sustain you and may God be with you to help and guide all of you through this difficult time and in the days to come. So sorry we couldn’t be with you at the Celebration of Life for your Mom. God bless you all
Sioux Falls South DakotaMy sympathy reaches out to all of the Familiy of Arlene Clemenson. Hearing about Arlene brings back many memories. I can recall when Arlene joined our team at the Old Fieldhouse. That smile brightened the entire building. One can visualize and then see what some leaders or workers do with students. They knew Arlene was there for them and would help them .
Life was so much more pleasant with Arlene being there for our students. She was a very special and I think a very super lady. It certainly was nice working with Arlene as she was a good team mate.
Respectfully, Lyle Bud Belk, Former Bison Staff Member for three decades.
Hawley MN
Sonny & Family: So very sorry to hear of such a great loss of your Mother. My Thoughts & Prayers will be with you & your family for days to come. I myself lost My “BIG DADDY” on July 28th But I’m hanging on to ALL of the cherished memories of Him! “REST IN PEACE, ARLENE”
Enderlin, North Dakota
We are so sorry for your loss, You are all in our thoughts and prayers at this time.
Willmar MN
MN
Clemenson Family
I am so sorry for your loss of Arlene.
When i go back to horace i usally end up driving down the streets and think back to when we were all a family knowing each other
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
West Fargo ND
My condolences to Arlene’s family. God has taken a special angel. She is truly at peace.
Fargo ND
Dear Clemenson family,
I was a student athlete at ND
SU in the late
70’s. “Mrs. C” always gave us our clean uniforms, bags, towels and what not. She was always so kind and friendly.
I ran into her and her husband a number of years back at the hospital that I work at. She even remembered that I was on the track team–probably 25 years before!
My sympathy to your family at your loss.
May you find comfort and peace, bless your memories.
Wanda (Zeller) Peterson
NDSU 1980
Fargo, ND
Fargo ND
Herman & family,
“Ma” has been one of those very special people in my life from the first time I met her in Horace. We “clicked” right away. We had lots of fun as neighbors & friends no matter how many miles separated us over the years.
Sidney Mt.To the Clemenson Family I am so sorry to here of your mother’s passing she was a wonderful women and I always enjoyed her company. I have not seen any of you for many years but please know I am thinking of you all at this time of loss. Take Care.
Peggy
West Fargo ND
To Herman and all the Family
Arlene was a very caring person. She made everyone around her feel special.
We played many cards together and shared many potlucks together at Dakota Park Apartments.
The last time I saw her at Elim she didn’t really know who I was but she had a smile on her face and she squeezed my hand.
Katie Lee
Longmont COOur prayers go out to each of you during this time of sorrow.
Clearwater FloridaWe want to send our sympathy to the Clemenson family in the loss of wife and mother Arlene…always enjoyed visiting with her and her family.
Moorhead MN
So sorry to hear about Arlene. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of great sorrow. God Bless you all.
Bismarck ND
Sonny and Family, We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. She was such a GREAT lady. Having her as a neighbor at the lake was so fun, Herman and her would always have great stories to tell us, Our kids always had a wonderful time with them and Arlene would give them rides on the golf cart that would be the highlite of there day. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Moorhead MN
My thoughts are with you all. May you find comfort some how. I wish I could give you advice on how to find that. Sorry. I will miss Arlene tremendously. She was always a wonderful Aunt.