Arlene Jeanette Sundby, formerly of Dawson, died Thursday, October 16, 2014 at the REM Home in Tyler, MN at the age of 88.
Funeral Service will be held Saturday, October 25, 2014 at 1:30 PM at the Hanson & Dahl Funeral Home in Dawson with Pastor Kendall Stelter officiating. Interment will be at the Grace Lutheran Cemetery in Dawson alongside her parents.
Visitation will be one hour before the service at the funeral home.
Arlene Jeanette Sundby was born July 8, 1926 at home in Dawson to Anton J. and Bertha (Westmoe) Sundby. She was the oldest of four children. Both of her parents were born in Norway and immigrated to Lac qui Parle County, her father at the age of two and her mother at the age of 17. After a very difficult birth, she was developmentally disabled. Arlene was baptized at Riverside Lutheran Church in Dawson and lived at home until she was seven years old. Arlene then left her family and spent the next eighty plus years being cared for in Cambridge, Brainerd, Willmar and Tyler, MN.
The family thanks and praises the entire staff at the REM Home in Tyler for the loving care Arlene received there for the past thirty-four years. Arlene was always happy, smiling and loved contact with other people. Her eye contact and her grin were contagious. She also loved dogs, teddy bears, dolls and books. She enjoyed music, especially “Jesus Loves Me” and other Sunday School songs. She also enjoyed helping serve coffee and treats.
She is survived by a sister, Betty A. McFall, and a brother, John A. (Kathy Wittnebel) Sundby, both of Rapid City, SD; nieces and nephews: Mike and Barb Spurbeck, Mark and Gudrun Spurbeck, and Scott and Brandi Spurbeck all of Mpls, Mark and Jill ( Sundby) Van Alstyne of Helena, MT, Johnny and Stephanie Sundby, and Bobby and Genae Sundby all of Rapid City, SD; 18 great nephews and nieces; and extended family and friends.
Arlene was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Grace P. Spurbeck; and a niece, Mary Spurbeck.