Arlene Avis Wavra, 86, of Red Lake Falls, MN died on Sunday, August 26, 2018 at her home.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service followed by the rosary on Friday, August 31, 2018 at St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, September 1, 2018 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls, with Father Bob Schreiner presiding with visitation one hour prior to Mass. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Red Lake Falls.

Arlene Avis Johnson was born to Edward & Anna (Grindeland) Johnson on February 22, 1932 at her grandparent's home in Norden Township, Pennington County, MN. She attended North Star Country School in Norden Township and graduated from Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls with the class of 1950.

Arlene was united in marriage to Vernon J. Wavra of Euclid MN, on November 24, 1951. Following their marriage, they lived in Euclid until they moved to Red Lake Falls in 1956 where they remained working & raising their family of seven children together. Arlene was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith in 1954.

Throughout her life, she was a devoted wife and mother to her children and grandchildren. She developed many hobbies throughout her lifetime but her passion was quilting, which she generously shared with others. She was a loving caregiver to her husband and her children, as she was the thread that held them together as a family. The values she instilled in her children will continue to live on for generations. Vern and Arlene loved to travel and spent countless hours holding hands during their adventures together. Following Vern's death, she embraced the new chapter in her life, where she extended her gifts of caring and love to her family and friends. She worked as the Director of the Senior Meal Site, enjoying making their meal site fun and inviting, by bringing in many special guests and events.

Arlene was an active member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and its Guild. She was proud to be the "Queen Mum" for 17 years with the Red Hat Association in Red Lake Falls. She enjoyed the many outings and life-long friendships she acquired through the years. Arlene had an outstanding gift of hospitality, expressed through her ability to whip up a meal for a few or a multitude within short notice – served with a smile. She had a unique quality to make each person feel as though they were "her favorite."

Arlene loved her family unconditionally and truly enjoyed the moments when her home was filled with her loved ones. She had a favorite phrase, stenciled in her home that said, "Feet May Leave, But Hearts Remain." We will miss Arlene with us here on earth, but we know that her heart remains always with her family.

Survivors include: Four sons: Dale (Patrice) of Audubon, MN; Michael (Cindi) of Thief River Falls, MN; Daniel (Lori) of Red Lake Falls, MN; Joel (Chris) of Red Lake Falls, MN. Two daughters: Rae Ann (Richard) Lynne of Maddock, ND; Jane (Steven) Thibert of Red Lake Falls, MN; 20 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren. Siblings: Wayne (Dian) Johnson, Jeanette Olson, Betty Noto, Sharon (Bob) Benson, Larry (Sandy) Johnson. Brothers & Sister-in-law: LeRoy Lokken, Bill Schriver and Lila Johnson. She is also survived by many other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by: husband Vernon; son Brian; one granddaughter; seven great grandchildren; parents Edward & Anna Johnson; siblings Earl Johnson, Don (Marge) Johnson, Delores Lokken, Lyle (Judy) Johnson, Jim (Rita) Johnson, Judy Schriver; brother-in-law Don Olson.