Arlyne Mardell Kelberer
Arlyne Mardell Kelberer, age 86, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on June 8, 2014 at The Episcopal Home in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Arlyne was born on August 13, 1927 in Cloquet, MN to Harold and Borghild Evenson. When she was 12 years old, the family moved to International Falls, MN where her father worked in the local paper mill. After graduating from Falls High School, she went on to complete the Fairview Hospital Nursing Program in Minneapolis, MN and worked as a nurse at the Veteran's Hospital.
In 1949, Arlyne married John J. Kelberer, of Winona, MN. Arlyne and John moved to the Middle East in 1950 where John held positions with the Trans Arabian Pipeline Company (TAPLINE) in Saudi Arabia and Beirut, Lebanon and later the Arabian American Oil Company (ARAMCO) where he served as Chairman of the Board in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia until his retirement in 1988. Arlyne and John retired to Austin, Texas where they lived until John passed away in 1991. Arlyne then returned to Minnesota to reside in Minneapolis near her children. Arlyne was a devoted wife, mother of seven children, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Arlyne traveled extensively with her husband John and spent considerable time engaged in formal activities related to his position. Throughout her life she was involved in many charitable organizations in the Middle East, particularly Catholic charities, as well as women's clubs and the schools her children and grandchildren attended.
Her hobbies were many. She enjoyed sewing for her children, singing in church choirs, was an excellent cook, and loved languages and classical music. She also played the bass fiddle in the High School Band and Orchestra, and played the violin in her youth. Most of all, Arlyne deeply enjoyed family time, especially the summers spent at their beloved home on Rainy Lake in northern Minnesota. Her loving presence will forever be felt in this very special place.
Preceding Arlyne in death were her parents, Harold and Borghild Evenson, and her husband John J. Kelberer.
She is survived by her dear sister Maxine Long of Spooner, Wisconsin, son John Michael Kelberer (Nancy) of Roseville, MN; daughters Mary Louise Renquist (Don) of Edina, MN; Margaret Ann Kelberer (George) of Antananarivo, Madagascar; Barbara Jean McDonald (David) of Grand Rapids, MN; Elizabeth Kelberer Kerr (David) of Edina, MN; Kristine Joanne Currin of Wilmington, NC; Anne Marie Dircks (Aaron) of Minnetonka, MN; Pam Van Couvering of Arden Hills, MN (daughter-in-law); Michael Currin of Wilmington, NC (son-in-law); 23 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
A Catholic Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, June 14, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of St. Patrick - Edina, intersection of Gleason and Valley View Rd, Edina, Minnesota, 55439.
Visitation with the family will be one hour before the service at 10 a.m.
A private gathering and burial will be arranged at a later date in July at the St. Thomas Catholic Cemetery in International Falls, MN.
In lieu of flowers, memorials gifts can be made to the Capuchin Mission - Attn: Panama Mission, Capuchin Mission Office, 1820 Mt. Elliott Street, Detroit, Michigan, 48207.