Arlene Brateng, 75, died September 18, 2008 at MeritCare Hospital, Fargo, ND.

Funeral service will be 11:00 AM, Tuesday, September 23, 2008 at Grace Lutheran Church in Grygla, MN with Rev. Mary Gilthvedt officiating. Burial will follow in St. Olaf Cemetery, Grygla, MN.

Visitation will be 5-8 on Monday, September 22, 2008 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Tuesday.

Arlene Jeanette Anderson was born March 4, 1933 to Alton and Anna (Hylland) Anderson on the family farm near Grygla, MN. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith. She attended country school until the 8th grade and then boarded with a family in Thief River Falls for a year at Lincoln High School. Arlene was always proud to attain her GED later in life. She always told the family that she had the highest grade in the class!

On November 5, 1950, Arlene was united in marriage to Vernon Duane Brateng in Grygla, MN at St. Olaf Lutheran Church. They lived in a few different places in North Dakota in their early years of marriage before moving back to Grygla. In 1967, the couple purchased Vernons family farm, west of Grygla where they resided for over 3 decades. Arlene was a hard working homemaker and farmers wife who raised the children and helped with the farm chores. As her children aged, she went to work in town at the Grygla Coop store. A job she enjoyed for many years. She cleaned and assisted in the kitchen at the Grygla School for some time. After the love of her life, Vernon passed away in 1999, she remained on the farm until a couple of years ago when she moved into town.

Arlene was a member of Grace Lutheran Church and the Grygla American Legion Auxiliary where she served as secretary for many years. She was an avid gardener and canner. She enjoyed sewing and flower gardening. Cookies and cupcakes were always ready and available for her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She is survived by 5 children: David (Linda) Brateng, Grygla, MN, Sheila (Mark) Stenseth, Goodridge, MN, Debbie (Roger) Bertelsen, Froid, MT, Julie (Blaine) Rugland, Coon Rapids, MN and Mike Brateng, Grygla, MN; 11 grandchildren: DeAnna, Jeanene, Heidi, Jennifer, Philip, Heather, Scott, Tracy, Jordan, Ashley and Austin; 9 great grandchidlren, Taylor, Zachary, Ethan, Isaac, Trajan, Logan, Kylie, Brenna, and Derek, 1 sister Marilyn (Kenny) Wiseth, Goodridge, MN, 2 brothers, Gordon (Patty) Anderson, Pine Island, MN, Larry Anderson, Grygla, MN, and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Arlene was preceded in death by husband, Vernon on May 6, 1999, daughter Sharon, parents, 2 brothers Arvid and Jack Anderson.

ORGANIST: Joy Nordby
SOLOIST: Jodi Schulz
SELECTION: In The Garden, Softly and Tenderly
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: What A Friend We Have In Jesus, Beautiful Savior
PALLBEARERS: Lyle Anderson, Tony Wiseth, Terry Wiseth, Lynn Anderson, Paul Nordby, David Paulson
HONORARY PALLBEARERS: All of Arlenes Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren