Arlene Bessie Zimpel, 89 of Plummer, MN passed away Saturday, October 9, 2021 at Villa St Vincent in Crookston, MN.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 AM Friday, October 15, 2021, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Plummer, MN, with Rev. Thomas Puffe Officiating.  Burial will follow the service at Oak Grove Cemetery, Red Lake Falls, MN.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM, with a Prayer Service at 7 PM, Thursday, October 14, 2021, Immanuel Lutheran Church Plummer, MN.  Visitation will also take place one hour prior to the funeral service on Friday at the church.

Arlene was born on December 26, 1931, to Stephen and Bessie (Harrington) Rice in the St. Cloud, MN area.  She contracted Polio at the age of 5 years.  The family was isolated for two weeks.  Arlene was sent to Gillette State Hospital, St. Paul, MN, for treatment and care.  (For the full story, please read Arlene's story which has been printed for you.)  She graduated from St. Cloud State Teachers College, graduating with a major in kindergarten and a minor in speech pathology.

Her first kindergarten teaching position was at Litchfield, MN. While in Litchfield, she met her future husband, Russell "Bud" Zimpel.  On June 30, 1956, Bud and Arlene were united in marriage in Red Lake Falls, MN.  Prior to 1967, she worked as the activity's director at Hillcrest Nursing Home in Red Lake Falls.  In 1967, Arlene became the first kindergarten teacher in Plummer, and retired in 1981.

Following her retirement, Arlene cared for her grandchildren and other children in the Plummer area.  Arlene was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, serving as treasurer for many years and Plummer American Legion Auxiliary.

Caring for children was her life!  Arlene was a wonderful wife, mom, grandma, and great-grandma.  "Old Grandma" was happiest when there was a baby in the house.  She loved to knit and she made sweaters for all her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and others in the community.  There were always homemade cookies at grandma's, along with other treats.  As a family, they enjoyed playing games, especially Friday night supper and card games.  Arlene enjoyed collecting bells and had a collection of over 500 that she received from family and friends from all over the world.  Her faith was very important to her.  Not being able to attend church, she was blessed to have caring Pastors bring communion and share words of encouragement.

Survivors include her children: Lynnelle (Roger) Gallant, Susan Zimpel, Nancy (Tom) Bray, John Zimpel, all of Plummer, MN, and Diane (Kevin) Bergeron, Warroad, MN; 14 grandchildren: Adam (Crystal) Gallant, Jennifer (Logan) Wallace, Kevin (Cheryl) Bray, Brittney (significant other, Morenzo) Bray, Shawna Thorpe, Sara (Mike) Lamun, Philip (Kyrsten) Zimpel, Kelley (CJ) Montesano, Grant (CJ) Paquin, Randi (Arne) Rantanen, Jared (significant other, Ashley) Paquin, Ty (significant other, Kayla) Bergeron, Joel (Andrea) Bergeron, Jace (Angela) Bergeron; 27 great-grandchildren; siblings: Gerry (Dolores) Rice, Douglas (Rita) Rice, JoAnn (Mel) Lommel, Luanne (Harold) Hinkemeyer, and Marilynn (John) Classen; many cousins, nephews and nieces; Special Friend, June Mosbeck.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bud, parents, and brother, Don, many aunts, uncles, and in-laws.