Arlene F. Wendolek
March 8, 2017Share using:
Arlene Frances (Nemec) Wendolek was born on June 27, 1928 in Glencoe MN to Albin and Mary Rose (Moravec) Nemec. Arlene’s mother died shortly after she was born and she was raised by her aunt and uncle, Charles and Clara Pulkrabek. She grew up in rural Glencoe, attended country school at District 6 Koniska School and graduated in 1946 from Steven’s Seminary, Glencoe MN.
On September 30, 1952 Father Albert Slechta married Arlene and Harry Wendolek at St. Joseph’s Church (Holy Family) in Silver Lake, MN. Their marriage was blessed with two sons, Mark and Dean.
Arlene and Harry engaged in dairy and crop farming for many years in Hale Township, McLeod County. At 26 Harry was drafted into the army during the Korean War. Harry’s parents returned to the farm from their retirement home in Silver Lake to keep it going and Arlene moved back to Charles and Clara’s home. Two years later Harry returned and they continued to farm where they left off.
Arlene was a faithful member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Silver Lake, Minnesota. In her spare time she enjoyed gardening, embroidery, sewing blankets for her church bazaar and feeding the birds and pheasants in her front yard. She loved playing Polish Poker with her friends at Cedar Crest in Silver Lake.
Arlene was always upbeat, had a great sense of humor and could hardly keep from laughing when telling a humorous story. She was not afraid to strike up a conversation with a perfect stranger.
Arlene was very proud to donate blood as often as 6 times a year for many years, totaling 18 gallons and still giving blood at age 88.
Arlene passed away on March 8, 2017 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital.
Arlene is survived by sons, Mark (Carol) Wendolek of Cokato and Dean (Julie) Wendolek of Silver Lake.
Grandchildren Beth Keith, Aaron (Natasha) Wendolek, Eric Wendolek, Cole Wendolek, Lucas Wendolek, and Logan Wendolek.
Great grandchildren Caleb Keith, Issabelle Wendolek and Mackenzie Wendolek.
Preceded in death by her husband Harry on July 17, 2009 her aunt and uncle Charles and Clara Pulkrabek, her parents, three brothers, one sister, two step brothers and one step sister. Arlene was the last surviving child of Albin and Mary Rose Nemec’s family.