Arlene (Carlson) Rollag, 96, of Beaver Creek, MN passed away peacefully on January 12, 2021, at Sanford Hospice Cottage in Sioux Falls. Private family funeral service will be held at 1:30 PM Saturday, January 23, 2021 at Palisade Lutheran Church, rural Garretson, Rock County, MN. The service will be live streamed at the Minnehaha Funeral Home & Cremation Services Facebook Page. Private burial will precede the service at the West Palisade Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation, without the family present, will be from 5-6:30 PM Friday, January 22, 2021 at the Minnehaha Funeral Home, Garretson.
Arlene was born near Brandon, SD on April 16, 1924, the daughter of Evald and Emma (Nelson) Carlson. She grew up on a farm in rural Garretson, one of four girls. She was baptized and confirmed at Beaver Valley Lutheran Church and graduated from Garretson High School in 1941. Following graduation, Arlene helped the war effort and worked for Ryan Aeronautical Company in San Diego, CA. Upon returning to SD, she worked at John Morrell’s in Sioux Falls from 1944-1951.
On May 30, 1948, Arlene married Oliver Rollag and celebrated 71 years before Oliver passed away in 2019. Arlene worked tirelessly with Oliver for 54 years on their farm west of Beaver Creek. After retiring from life on the farm in their 90’s they then moved to Poplar Creek Estates in Luverne, MN in December 2016.
Arlene was a member of Palisade Lutheran Church, in Rock County, MN for over 70 years, where she was active in WELCA and the Hannah Circle. When she took the time to relax, Arlene enjoyed tending to her flower gardens, quilting, embroidery, baking (collecting recipes) and finishing many puzzles. She will be remembered for her creative sense of humor and quick wit. But first and foremost, she was a dedicated mother who provided an excellent role model for her children and grandchildren.
Arlene will be lovingly remembered by her four children: Diane Peterson of Hallock, MN, Carlene Lawler (Pat) of Zumbrota, MN, Janice Rollag of Lakeville, MN, and Lyle Rollag (Sharil) of Beaver Creek, MN. She’s also survived by nine grandchildren: Laura Linder, Beth Jiskra, Anna Peterson, Molly Lawler, Katie Lawler, Berik Kallevig, Thomas Rollag, Alaina Rollag, and Sean Rollag; as well as seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Oliver; her parents, Emma and Evald Carlson and sisters Edna Monrad, Elinor Steen and Viola Bjorneberg.
Arlene’s family would like to give a heartfelt thanks to all that participated in her care in any manner. We’d especially like to thank the staffs at Poplar Creek and Sanford Hospice Cottage.
Though her death was not a tragedy, but instead the completion of a long and meaningful life, she will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.
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