Arlene Margaret Lee was born to Thorwald and Alvina (Moeller) Hansen on July 12, 1933, in Ellsworth, Minnesota. She was baptized on Nov. 9, 1933, at the Methodist Episcopal Church in Luverne, Minnesota, and confirmed her faith on June 8, 1947, at the First Congregational Church in Ellsworth. She lived with her family in rural Kanaranzi, Minnesota, until the seventh grade. Her family then moved to Kanaranzi until her marriage to Lloyd Lee on Oct. 19, 1951, at the First Congregational Church in Ellsworth.
The couple moved to a farm in rural Kenneth, Minnesota, for a few years and then moved back to Kanaranzi in 1956. Arlene worked at the Kanaranzi Bank for a number of years. The “Great Kanaranzi Bank Heist” in 1979 saw Arlene as one of the employees who was shut in the bank vault while the robbers got away on snowmobiles. She also helped Lloyd at his business “Lee’s Service Station” where she kept books, pumped gas and washed windshields. Additionally, she did bookkeeping for Lloyd’s other business ventures, including Pioneer Seeds, custom swathing and corn shelling. Lloyd passed away in 2001.
Arlene continued to live in their home until making the move to Luverne in 2005. She later moved from her home on Blue Mound Avenue to the Good Samaritan Communities. In September of 2025, Arlene became a resident at the Oasis Care Home in Luverne. On Nov. 11, 2025, Arlene transitioned to the Luverne Hospice Cottage where on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, she went to be with Jesus at the age 92 years, four months and 28 days.
Arlene was a member of Kenneth Lutheran Church from 1952 until its closing in 2015 where she taught Sunday school, was a member of Ladies’ Aid and Circle and served on the Altar Guild. She then joined Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. She was a member of the local Lions Club and the Kanaranzi Ladies’ Aid group. Back in the day, she loved to go dancing with Lloyd, taking their yearly excursions with family to Lake Ida near Alexandria and traveling to Texas to visit her three amigos – Kenny, Kristi and AJ. Arlene was known for her patience, understanding and concern for others.
Arlene is lovingly remembered by her children, Steven (Becky) Lee of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Bob (Denise) Lee of Luverne, and Kristi (Kenny) Adler of Midland, Texas; grandchildren, Nichole (Todd) Johnson, Adam (Martha) Lee, Austin Lee (special friend, Amanda Huber), and Abigail “AJ” Adler; great-grandchildren, Blake, Lane (Brynn) and Colter Johnson, Sebastian, Harper, Tatum, Felix, Oliver, and Jonah Lee; and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd; grandson, Joshua Lee; brother, Clifford Hansen; sister, Doris Olson; and parents.
Funeral service was Saturday, Dec. 12, at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. Burial followed in Ashwood Cemetery near Kanaranzi, Minnesota. Arrangements were under the care of Hartquist Funeral Home in Luverne.
Memorials may be directed to the Luverne Hospice Cottage or the Oasis Care Home in Luverne.
To view Arlene’s LifeTribute slideshow or sign an online registry, please visit www.hartquistfuneral.com.
