Arlene Schmidtke, 87

Arlene Beatrice Anna (Miller) Schmidtke, age 87, of Farmington, beloved mother, grandmother, and retired schoolteacher, died peacefully on Wednesday, Jan. 9, from pneumonia. She had enjoyed a wonderful Christmas with her entire family.

Arlene was born Dec. 13, 1925, in Lakeville, Minn., to Freeman and Minnie (Cookin) Miller. She was baptized and confirmed at Christiania Lutheran Church and graduated from Lakeville High School in 1943. She graduated from Mankato State University and started her teaching career in a one-room schoolhouse near Morristown. She also taught in East Chain, Cannon Falls, Dakota County District 47, Lakeville, and retired from teaching 3rd grade in Farmington after 22 years. Arlene married Dale Schmidtke in 1950 and started a family. She loved teaching and was often recognized by students and their parents, both of whom she may have taught.

Arlene was a long-time member of Farmington Lutheran Church and volunteer schoolteacher at Dakota City Heritage City. She enjoyed her family and friends, traveling and taking country drives, living in the country, and annual extended family camping weekends.

Arlene is survived by relatives and friends including children, David, Lynn (Mike) Radvansky, Diane, and Connie (Marlo) Dahl; grandchildren, Thor and Tova Lyng, Laron Schmidtke, Laura and Aaron Dahl; great-grandson, Ky mani Schmidtke; sisters Myrna Thomas and Carol (Harold) Harper and brother-in-law Oren Larson; sisters and brothers-in-law Pearl Shirley, Fred (Dorothy) Schmidtke, and Lyle (Peggy) Schmidtke; and many nieces and nephews she treasured.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dale; her parents; brother Allan; and sister Lenore.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 14, at Farmington Lutheran Church, 20600 Akin Rd., Farmington. Visitation will be at the church from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 13, and for 1 hour prior to the funeral. Memorials are preferred to Dakota City Heritage City.

White Funeral Home, Farmington, 651-463-7374, www.whitefuneralhomes.com.

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