Arlene Kracht

Arlene Erma Kracht was born on August 4, 1932 in Grandin, North Dakota to her parents, Anton and Estella (Biel) Nelson. She was baptized in Grandin.

When Arlene was nine years old, the family moved to a farm just north of Forada, MN. When her father, Anton, died just a few years later, the family moved to Alexandria. Arlene attended Zion Lutheran School, and graduated from Central High School. She was confirmed at Zion Lutheran, and remained a member there for the rest of her life.

On September 9, 1950, Arlene was united in marriage to Melvin Kracht. After a brief time of living in Minneapolis and Alexandria, they moved to Nelson, MN, first to a farm north of town, and later into the town itself. Arlene remained there until Melvin's death in 1998.

Arlene spent many hours, working around town. She served for a time on the town council, and as an election judge. She was on the founding committee for the Nelson Fun Fest that ran for many years.

Arlene never missed an opportunity to volunteer her time. She spent countless hours at her children's school as they grew up, and served on the altar guild at church, the Evening guild and the LWML, along with many other activities.

In later years, Arlene worked at the Marian Building as a cook, and in the bakery at Jerry's Jack and Jill grocery store. She enjoyed working in the community, but she was always, above anything else, a devoted wife and mother.

She raised a huge vegetable garden each year, and was happy to help feed her family this way. All would agree, there wasn't much better than her tiny dill pickles.

She enjoyed card games and puzzles, and Melvin always smiled when she would play for the family on the piano or organ. She and Melvin, in later years, enjoyed following the Carlos baseball team.

In retirement, Arlene volunteered at Bethany Home, Knute Nelson, and the Douglas County Hospital. Even as a resident at Galeon in Osakis, she found ways to serve others.

She adored her grandchildren, and would make special birthday cakes for them and in older years, would take them for birthday meals.

The most important thing in Arlene's life was her deep and abiding faith in Jesus. She sought to follow and serve Him all of her days on earth, and faced death unafraid, because of His promises. Blessed be her memory.

Arlene died on February 18, 2017 at Galeon in Osakis. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Melvin, son and daughter-in-law John and Betty Kracht and their daughter, Sarah. Also her sister, Doris Nelson, and brothers: Loren, Earl, Floyd and Leonard.
She is survived by her children Richard (Irene) Kracht, Judy (Larry) Ahlbrecht, Randy (Paulette) Kracht and Susan (Steve) Proell. Also surviving are 12 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren and a sister, Norma Nelson.

A funeral service will be held at 11:30 AM Friday, February 24, 2017 at Zion Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Interment will follow in the Kinkead Cemetery in Alexandria. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 PM Thursday at the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria and also one hour prior to the service at the church.