Arlene M. Ferden

HOFF FUNERAL AND CREMATION SERVICE, RUSHFORD 507-864-7771 PETERSON, MINN. - Arlene M, Ferden, 92, of Peterson, Minn. died on Monday, March 4, 2013, at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Rushford. Arlene was born on May 16, 1920, in Marietta, Minn. to Andrew and Inga (Sortum) Dahle. She graduated from Marietta High School and then graduated from Normal School in Madison, Minn. Arlene taught in a one room school house for a short time and later finished her teaching degree from St. Cloud State and Moorhead State. She then moved to Peterson, Minn. where she taught first grade and met her husband Floyd Ferden. Arlene and Floyd were married on June 7, 1945, in Peterson. The couple farmed for many years in rural Peterson. Following Floyd's death in 1976, Arlene moved to Peterson and later to the Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Rushford. Arlene was an accomplished pianist and loved teaching. Despite her challenges with Multiple Sclerosis, she always had a smile on her face and never complained. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church and was the first President of the American Legion Auxiliary in Peterson. Arlene is survived by two children: Patricia (Steven) Chapman of Dakota, Minn. and Wayne (Becky) Ferden of Preston, Minn.; five grandchildren: Kimberly, Pamela, Julia and Erik Chapman and Jacob Ferden. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and two siblings: Leland Dahle and Ellen "Toots" Westberg. The funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 10, at Grace Lutheran Church in Peterson. Burial will be in the West Grace Lutheran Cemetery in Peterson. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, at Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service in Rushford and one hour prior to the service at church. Leave a memory of Arlene and sign her online guestbook at www.hofffuneral.com