Arlene Lee

Arlene Marie Lee passed away on July 9, 2025. Arlene's family will honor her memory with a private celebration of life and graveside.

Arlene was born on September 29, 1933, to Nels A. and Emma (Hefta) Hengesteg in rural Northwood, Iowa (Silver Lake Township), and was baptized at Silver Lake Lutheran Church. She attended a rural school through 6th grade, and after her mother's passing in 1945, she began attending school in Albert Lea; she graduated in 1951. As a senior in high school, she worked half days in the office of Universal Milking Machine Coop and with her father's Charles Street grocery store. She was confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea.

On August 15, 1952, Arlene married Simon A. Lee in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She was a stay-at-home mom for their seven children and served as an election judge for several years. She enjoyed playing dominoes, Yahtzee, and games with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and also appreciated watching their hockey and baseball games.

After Simon's retirement, they enjoyed taking 3-mile hikes and traveling. They traveled to Branson, Missouri, seeing several shows, visiting the mall and Silver Dollar City, and having breakfast on the riverboat. In 2011, she enjoyed being on the "Disney Dream" cruise ship and going to Disneyland. In 2019, the two visited Louisiana and then Mesa, Arizona, in 2020.

Arlene is survived by sons, Jerry (Sheila), Rick (Barb), Steven (Connie), Danny (Cindy), and James; daughter Lori; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, as well as several extended relatives.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Simon; parents, Nels and Emma; son, Keith; step-mother, Olga; sisters, Eleanor Hengesteg and Edna (Cecil) Dishon; and brothers, Norance (Altine) and Andy (Marion) Hengesteg.

Donations can be made in Arlene's memory to First Lutheran Church's Peace and Power Worship Service Broadcast, which kept Arlene connected to her church community after she was no longer able to attend in person.