Arlene Ulstad

Arlene Ulstad of Appleton died on Monday, April 22, 2019 at the Appleton Health Care Center at the age of 89.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, April 27, 2019 at 11:00 AM at Dawson Covenant Church, with Rev. Erik Carlson officiating.

Visitation will be held Friday, April 26, 2019 from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Hanson & Dahl Funeral Home in Dawson, with a prayer service starting at 7:00 PM.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday.  

Arlene Ida Ulstad was born in Shible Township, Swift County, Minnesota on August 6, 1929 to Henry Louis and Augusta Marie (Bartz) Reinke.  At the age of 1-1/2 her mother passed away after complications from child birth with her younger brother, Glenn, who also passed away.  She was raised by her mother’s family.  She went on to attend Country School at District 56, in rural Appleton and then graduated from Appleton High School in 1947.  After graduation, she worked as a maid for the McGlynn Bakery family in Edina and then as a waitress at Doege’s Candy Kitchen in Appleton.

Arlene was united in marriage to Charles Oscar Ulstad at the Zion Lutheran Church in Appleton on September 2, 1950.  Charles and Arlene farmed in Hantho Township, Lac qui Parle County, their entire lives.  After a tragic disabling farm accident in November 1979, Arlene served as the primary caregiver in their home for Charles, who was a quadriplegic.  After his death in 1995, she remained on the farm and remained interested and active in the farming operation.

Arlene enjoyed her family, traveling to all the States except Hawaii, flower gardening, yard work, baking, sewing and quilting.  She watched Gopher and NCAA basketball with great passion.  She loved to dance and would travel to barn dances in her youth.  Arlene also served as a hospice volunteer and was extremely proud of this work.  By far, her favorite activity was farming:  a tractor cab with a working radio, doing tillage, was her idea of paradise.

Arlene is survived by three children:  Lee and Deb Ulstad, Madison, Laurie Ulstad, Dawson, Char Ulstad and Milt Warkentien, Roseville; six grandchildren:  Brandon and Courtney Ulstad, Jennifer and Kyle Graven, Amber and Matt Forslund, Tanner Ulstad and Brittany Stephens, Ashley Graham, Erika Warkentien; 12 great-grandchildren:  Charlie, JT and Kate Ulstad;  Lincoln, Reese, Sullivan, Landrey and Watson Graven; Nora, Jackson and Everett Forslund; and Laney Miranda; as well as extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Charles; baby brother, Glenn; and 8 brothers and sisters.