Arlene J. Nelson, 83, Sanborn, ND passed away at Sanford Health in Fargo, ND on March 13, 2025. Visitation will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sanborn from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Thursday, March 20 with a prayer service beginning at 7:00. The funeral Mass will be Friday, March 21 at 11:00 AM with burial later this spring. The service will be live streamed, then archived, on a link provided along with her obituary on her tribute page at www.lerudmathias.com. An online guestbook is available there as well.
Arlene Jean Nelson was born to Jacob and Adeline (Schwehr) Hanenberg on April 15, 1941. She attended school in Sanborn, ND. Arlene was married to Lyle “Bud” Christensen in November of 1958. They had 3 children, Larry, Kevin and Brenda. Arlene and the kids moved in to Sanborn and in October of 1966, she married Rodney Nelson. She and Rodney had a son, Ricky.
Throughout her life, Arlene worked a variety of jobs. She was an over the road truck driver, a bartender at the Red Cedar, a waitress at Max Café; and most recently worked at the Sheyenne Care Center. When she had some spare time, she loved to sew and crochet as well as scrapbooking. Arlene (and the other Hanenberg girls) were known to be fierce competitors in the nail driving contests held in Sanborn.
She is survived by her children, Larry “Wolf” (LeAnn) Christensen of Spiritwood, ND, Kevin (Jill) Christensen of Valley City, ND, Brenda Shank of Sanborn, ND, and Ricky (Jessica) Nelson of Wimbledon, ND; grandchildren, Jody Lynn, Jordan (Lexi), Jessica Lynn (Brian), and Alex; great grandchildren, Rachel, Savannah, Gracie, Olivia, Landan, Lane, Sophia, Leiana, Braxton, Ashton, Jaxon, Jamie and Caiden; sisters, Katie Scofield, Adeline Greshik, and Margie (Darrell) Ournhagen; in-laws, Cheryl (Marv) Sola and Clayton (Joyce) Nelson; along with many nieces and nephews. Arlene had many “extra” family members and friends she also leaves behind. Some of those special friends she met at through AA, with the AA House being a kind of second home to her.
Arlene was preceded in death by her parents, Jacob & Adeline; husband, Rodney; special friend, Louis Novotny; sisters, Shirley Ann Risser, Donna Mae Larson, Mary Lou Nelson; brothers, Kermit “Bub” Hanenberg and baby Jacob John; and her in-laws, Chuck Risser, Kenny Larson, Clinton Nelson, Dennis Greshik, Earl Scofield, Delores Hanenberg, and Art & Rose Nelson.