Arlene Dorothy Nelson, 80, of Fargo, ND formerly of Stanley, ND, passed away on Saturday, December 26, 2020 in Fargo, ND.

Arlene Dorothy Nelson was born on September 12, 1940 in Stanley, ND to Oscar and Edith Rudolph where she was raised on the farm where she preferred to do the inside work, perfecting her love for baking. She went to school in Stanley, starting in a little country school. She graduated in 1959. She then went to Josef’s Hair and Cosmetology School in Fargo, ND. She returned to Stanley and worked at the hair salon there.

She started dating Larry Nelson and they were married On October 24, 1964 in Stanley. They moved out to Seattle, Washington right away where Larry worked at Boeing, and Arlene stayed home with their two children, Brian and Paula, who were born in Washington.

Larry and Arlene loved to dance, and they belonged to the Eagle’s Club in Washington where they went with other couples on the weekends. In 1978 they moved back to Stanley where Larry became the custodian at Stanley High School and a year later Arlene started as an assistant cook there. Eventually, she became the head cook at the Stanley High School until she retired. She also cleaned the Scandia American Bank after hours for many years. Larry and Arlene were married for 36 years, Larry passed away in 2001. Arlene moved to Fargo in May of 2019 due to Parkinson’s disease and lived at Bethany Retirement Homes in the assisted living housing. She continued to participate in activities and made many friends there.

Arlene loved to be active, and she loved having company, especially family and her grandchildren. She loved her family deeply above all else, and her faith life was very important, staying active with her church, cleaning the church, providing meals, and being involved with the prayer chain.

Arlene is survived by her son, Brian and his wife Ellen; daughter, Paula and her husband Tony; grandchildren, Elizabeth (Zac), Jordan (Kayley), Alex (Shay), Anthony, and Emma and one great-grandchild Avery Jordan. She is preceded in death by her husband, Larry; parents, Oscar and Edith; sister, Margaret and brother, Richard.