Arlene Klosterman

Arlene V. Klosterman, 81, Minot, died of cancer, Saturday, August 8, 2009 in her home, surrounded by her loving family. Arlene Victoria Johnson was born October 2, 1927 in Landa, ND to Melvin and Ethel (Lee) Johnson. She was baptized and confirmed at Mouse River Lutheran Church, where she was active in Hi League and helped play the piano and old organ for Sunday services. Arlene attended Thrums Number 5 School in Starbuck Township, near Minot for eight years and later graduated from Bottineau High School. Following graduation she attended summer school at Minot State Teachers College. That fall she taught school at Waterford School District, where she taught all grades except one, which was quite a challenge for a girl who was not quite 18. She attended Minot State the next summer and taught the following fall at Waterford School District. Arlene met and married Earl Klosterman of Glenburn, ND, on December 21, 1946 at Glendive, MT. They made their home in Minot, where they raised six children, three boys and 3 girls. They attended Zion Lutheran Church, and later transferred to Bethel Free Lutheran Church, both in Minot. Arlene was employed as an Expanded Food and Nutrition Assistant in Ward County for North Dakota State University before retiring. Arlene's husband, Earl, passed away on December 18, 2000. Arlene always gave her husband, Earl, credit for helping with their children and chores, so she was able to do community activities, which she enjoyed. Arlene loved and enjoyed working with children. She started the "Sugar N' Spice" 4-H Club and was their leader for 15 years. She taught Sunday school for many years, first at Zion Lutheran Church, and later at Bethel Free Lutheran Church. She and Earl were Junior League Advisors at Zion Lutheran. She enjoyed working in the Mothers Club. She was a room mother for all of her children and one grandchild over the years at Sunnyside Elementary School. She held offices in the elementary through high school PTA's. She was a former member of the YWCA board. She demonstrated lefse making the first two years at the Norsk Hostfest and was in charge of the girl's 4-H building the first two years at the North Dakota State Fair. Arlene loved her family. She enjoyed square dancing after the children were grown. She also enjoyed sewing, gardening, food preservation, Norwegian baking, and her church and its activities. Those who shared in her life, children, Lee (Pam) Klosterman and Bruce (Janelle) Klosterman, all of Minot, ND, Susan (Michael Buckley) Klosterman and Barbara Barr and her partner, Richard Marks, all of Salem, OR, Patti (Wade) Whitson and David Klosterman, all of Minot; nine grandchildren, Erica Solem, Heather (Todd) Kraft, Neil Klosterman, Laurel Klosterman and her partner, De Etta Stevens, Paul Klosterman, Derek Hartl, Lee (Dustin) Torgerson, Erin Whitson and Brandon Klosterman; eight great-grandchildren; brother, Milton Johnson, Twentynine Palms, CA; sisters-in-law, Eunice Halling, Doris Christensen, Loretta Johnson, all of Minot, and Marjorie Johnson, Landa, ND; one uncle, Leonard Lee, Landa; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Arlene was preceded in death by her husband, Earl; parents, Melvin and Ethel Johnson; brothers, Obert, Howard and Byron Johnson; brothers-in-law, Ralph Christensen and Wayne Halling. Funeral: Thursday, August 13, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at Bethel Free Lutheran Church, Minot, ND. Visitation: Wednesday, August 12, 2009, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot. Burial: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot, ND. Memorials are preferred to The Alaska Mission, c/o Bethel Free Lutheran Church, 530 22nd Ave. NW, Minot, ND 58703, or to the Second Story, 13 1st Ave. SW, Minot, ND 58701

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