Sylvia Mikelson Arneson was born January 16, 1897, to Peder and Tilda Johanson Mikelson at their farm near Hazel Run, Minnesota. She had seven brothers and one sister and was the last survivor of her immediate family. Sylvia was baptized and confirmed in Hazel Run Lutheran Church. She attended MacPhail's School of Music in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she studied piano, organ and elocution. In Clarkfield, a young school teacher named Arthur H. Arneson needed an accompanist. Brother Selmer Mikelson introduced his roomer to sister Sylvia. Arthur and Sylvia had a large wedding August 8, 1923, in Clarkfield. The newlyweds moved to Madison, Minnesota, where Arthur was a professor at the Luther Normal School. Marcus Waldemar, Arthur and Sylvia's only child, was born in Madison in 1927. When father, Peder Mikelson, died in 1931 the family moved to Clarkfield to take care of mother Tilda. In Clarkfield, Sylvia taught Sunday School and was organist at Clarkfield Lutheran Church for many years. She also played for the massed Choral Union directed by Arthur. During this time she organized and directed the Ladies' Chorus. Many area residents have fond memories of piano and organ lessons received from Sylvia. These students became part of an enlarged family for her. Sylvia was also a member of the Clarkfield Lutheran Ladies' Aid and Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU). Arthur, her beloved husband of nearly fifty years, died January 7, 1973, after a year of ill health. Sylvia's son Marc married Alice Hamre of Decorah, Iowa, whom he met at his father's alma mater, Luther College. Marc and Alice Arneson currently live in Wayzata, Minnesota, and Naples Florida. Sylvia is also survived by her most devoted and cherished only granddaughter, Sylvia Corrine and her husband John Charles Hawthorne of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Other survivors are brother Bennie's second wife, Maybelle, and numerous dear nieces and nephews. Sylvia enjoyed a long and happy life. Though plagued by loss of hearing in latter years, she continued to live in her home and enjoy her Bible, her family, her music, and her ferns until her final illness. She moved to the Clarkfield Care Center August 14, 1991. Death came from congestive heart failure, and pneumonia on Tuesday afternoon, April 9, 1991,in granddaughter Corrine's arms. Funeral Service: Saturday, April 13, 1991, 2:00 p.m., Clarkfield Lutheran Church, Clarkfield, Minnesota Officiant: Pastor Gordon A. Trelstad Organist: Rhoda Nelson Soloist: Lester Mikelson "How Great Thou Art" "The Lord's Prayer" Congregational Hymns: "Behold A Host" "Just As I Am" Honorary Casket Bearers: Chester Dalager, Alvin Mikelson, David Erp, Milo Mikelson, Harry Smith Active Casket Bearers: Leo Flattum, Paul Mikelson, Phillip Harein, Peter John Mikelson, Robert McKibben, Waldo Mikelson Final Resting Place: Hazel Run Cemetery Hazel Run, Minnesota Arrangements by Lynner Funeral Home Since 1891 Clarkfield Minnesota