Arlene Faye Nielsen

Arlene was born to Arnold and Hazel Oistad on September 25th, 1948 in Fargo, North Dakota. Arlene grew up in Minnesota and graduated high school in Rochester in 1966. She went on to earn an associate's degree.

Arlene worked professionally as a medical secretary in orthopedic and pathology fields for numerous hospitals as well as being the personal secretary to multiple physicians and medical specialists. Once retired, Arlene continued to serve her community by volunteering at St. Anthony's Hospital in Lakewood, Colorado.

Throughout her life, Arlene was very devoted to her faith and was not only a Sunday school teacher, but also the superintendent of the Sunday school program when she lived in Iowa. Additionally, Arlene served as the council secretary at Lutheran Church of the Master and knitted blankets that were donated to local hospitals.

In her early twenties, Arlene worked at J.C. Penney where she met and started dating Ken Nielsen. Six months later, they were married on November 2nd, 1969. During the course of their life together they welcomed three daughters and lived in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois. In 1986, they moved to Lakewood, Colorado where they made their permanent home.

Arlene is survived by her daughters Gretchen Nielsen and Holly (Dan) Wippert and one granddaughter, Olivia. She is survived by her brothers Dale Oistad, Brad Oistad and sister Elaine (Vern) Skarstad, and her nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and daughter, Jennifer.

May she rest in peace.

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