Arlene Mavis (Bleeker) Wollmuth, 75, died Tuesday, October 19, 1999, after a courageous battle with leukemia and non Hodgkins lymphoma, at the Clarkfield Care Center, Clarkfield, Minnesota. Her spirit and strength in the Lord sustained her and she inspired those around her. Arlene Mavis Bleeker was born August 26, 1924, to John and Johanna (Ruesink) Bleeker at Castlewood, South Dakota, one of eight children. She was baptized October 5, 1924, at Bemis Reformed Church. Arlene attended country school through the eighth grade. She helped her father with the farm work, preferring it to working inside. While herding cattle she met her husband of 54 years, Edwin Wollmuth. Ed and Arlene were married May 5, 1945, at Madison, Minnesota. To this union two children were born, Brenda (Ohlson) and Dean. Ed and Arlene lived in the Castlewood, South Dakota, area where they farmed until 1956, when they moved to Clarkfield, Minnesota. She sang at the weddings of many family members and friends, sharing this gift from God with great joy. Arlene worked at the Clarkfield Variety Store, as an Avon representative, at Mork's Hardware, was a cook at the Clarkfield School and helped her daughter at the Ink Spot. Arlene was a faithful member of Clarkfield Lutheran Church. She enjoyed camping, traveling, reading and crocheting. Her greatest joy in life was her grandchildren and her special angels, her four great grandchildren. She is survived by her best friend and husband, Ed; daughter, Brenda and her husband LeRoy Ohlson of Clarkfield; son, Dean and his wife Nancy of Lake Elmo, Minnesota; grandchildren: Taunja and her husband Brad Kelvington of Harrisburg, South Dakota, Stacy and her husband David Hinz of Granite Falls, Minnesota, Aaron and his wife Nicole Ohlson of Clarkfield, and Lisa Wollmuth of Lake Elmo, Minnesota; four great grandchildren: Courtney Lynn and Jordan Rae Hinz, and Luke Aaron and Haley Grace Kelvington; three step-grandsons: Mark and his wife Jennifer Peterson, Woodbury, Minnesota, Rick Peterson, Eagan, Minnesota, and Craig Peterson of Lake Elmo, Minnesota; two step-great grandsons: Andrew and Thomas Peterson; brothers: Harold and Leonard Bleeker of Casllewood, South Dakota, Merle Bleeker of Clear Lake, South Dakota, and Gaylord Bleeker of Watertown, South Dakota; sisters: Ann Hemmelman of Grand Island, Nebraska, and Marlys West of Farmington, Minnesota; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her niece, Lois Jean Bleeker; granddaughter, Alecia Wollmuth; parents, John and Jennie Bleeker; and sister, Agnes Greenfield. Arlene's last weeks were an inspiration to the wonderful hospice team, the cancer care team and the devoted and loving staff at the Clarkfield Care Center. Arlene asked that you remember her when you hear the rain drops fall. She loved to hear it rain. Visitation Thursday, October 21, 1999 * 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Prayer Service 7:30 p.m. Lynner Funeral Home, Clarkfield, Minnesota Funeral Service Friday, October 22, 1999 * 2:00 p.m. Clarkfield Lutheran Church, Clarkfield, Minnesota Officiating, Pastor Terry Brandt Organist, Karen Donner Vocal Music David Rupp "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" "Beautiful Garden of Prayer" Pastor Terry Brandt and Pastor Larry Thompson "Children of the Heavenly Father" Casket Bearers Taunja and Brad Kelvington Stacy and David Hinz Aaron and Nicole Ohlson Lisa Wollmuth Final Resting Place Clarkfield Lutheran Cemetery, Clarkfield, Minnesota Arrangements by Lynner Funeral Home Since 1891 Clarkfield Minnesota