Arlene Heins, age 92 of Monroe, formerly of Darlington, passed away Friday, July 1, 2016 at Azura Memory Care in Monroe. She was born February 27, 1924 in Woodford, the daughter of Herman and Myrtle (Thorson) Halvorson. Arlene was united in marriage to C. Guerdon Heins on December 16, 1944 at Darlington United Methodist Church. They farmed and ran the grocery store in Calamine. In 1951, they moved to Monroe, where she worked as a clerk at Ace Hardware and later at Bahr’s Variety Store both located in Monroe, retiring in 1989.
Arlene is survived by one son: Duanne C. (Mary Lee) Heins of Glennwood, Iowa; one daughter: Diann (Allen) Keller of Brodhead; three grandchildren: Marci (Curtis) McClellan of Glennwood, Stephanie (Kevin) Bliss of Delavan, and Jeffery (Danielle) Keller of Monticello; four great-grandchildren: C.J. and Alex Bliss, and Kimberlee and Mercades Keller; one brother: Clinton (Pauline) Halvorson of Darlington; three sisters: Melva Jean (Henry) Tschanz and Idellis (Walter) McKillip both of Monroe, and Jeaneen (Robert) Benson of Darlington; and one sister-in-law: Sharon Halvorson of Darlington. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband on June 28, 1998; four brothers: Sylvester “Bubby” Halvorson, Ed Halvorson, Eldon Halvorson, and one in infancy; and one sister-in-law: Phyllis Halvorson.
Arlene enjoyed knitting dishcloths and watching cooking shows. She cherished her family and the time she spent with them. Arlene will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by her family and friends.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Erickson Funeral Home (508 Main Street, Darlington) with Rev. Nick J. McElrath of First Baptist Church in Darlington officiating. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery in Monroe. A visitation was held Tuesday, July 5, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at the funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Arlene’s name.