Arlene Haugrud

Arlene Joyce Haugrud, born June 14, 1933, passed away peacefully with family by her side at the Barrett Care Center on August 11, 2025. Arlene was born in Barnesville, MN, to Nora and Ole Varholdt. She and her brother Jim were raised on a farm in rural Barnesville where the foundation was laid for her future life in farming and raising a family.

Arlene attended and graduated from Barnesville High School. She went on to marry Arvid Haugrud on October 26, 1951. Out of that union they had five children, their oldest Cynthia Ann, passed away in infancy.

Arlene was a true farm wife. She worked side by side with Arvid in the barn, milking and feeding cows, bringing lunch to the field, going on parts runs, and making sure that nobody ever missed a meal. She enjoyed having her grandkids over and taught them many life lessons, like how to sew, quilt, cook, drive a lawnmower, and say bedtime prayers instilling her faith in them.

After Arvid passed away in 1991, Arlene remained on their farm until she entered the Barrett Care Center in 2023. Throughout her later years, she found friendships in her Sunday dancing partners. She quilted for many years, making her signature log cabin quilts for all her family and many special friends. She also knitted many white baptismal blankets for each new baby.

Arlene had a very strong faith and was an active member of Hamar Lutheran Church Circle, and later New Life Lutheran Church. She especially loved to volunteer during VBS week where you would find her in the kitchen. All the kids knew her as "Grandma Arlene."

Arlene is survived by her cherished family members, Doris (Wayne) Moen of Rothsay and their children, Jennifer (Stacy) Honer, Stephanie (Casey) Curtis, Heather (John) Reber, and Kristen (Michael) Heidecker, Linda (Bruce) Little and their children Jessica Imholte and Melissa Oien, Alan (Diane) Haugrud and their children Ashley (Steve) Schweiger, Tyler (Kate) Haugrud, and Ron (Melissa) Haugrud and their children, Christopher (Erin) Haugrud, Paige (Andrew) Kunz, and William (Lillian Hayman) Peters. She also leaves behind great grandchildren Madison (Kole) Lee, Cora, Abigail, and Joshua Honer, Wyatt, Ethan, and Preston Curtis, Lauren and Katelyn Reber, Mason and Samuel Heidecker, Houston Wagner (Schweiger), Arianna and Gabriella Imholte, Hudson and Crosby Haugrud, and Quincy and Kayson Kunz, Evelyn and Warren Peters, and sisters-in-law Joan Varholdt, Katie Haugrud, and Marion Haugrud along with several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Preceding her in death were her beloved husband, Arvid Haugrud, brother James Varholdt, parents, Ole and Nora Varholdt, and step-father, Olaf Hengebol, and infant granddaughter, Kelsey Lynn Moen.

Arlene's family wishes to sincerely thank the staff at the Barrett Care Center for their compassionate care.

Memorials are preferred to the New Life Lutheran Church, 102 Main Ave. W., Rothsay MN 56579.

Service: 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 16, 2025 at New Life Lutheran Church in Rothsay, with visitation one-hour prior to the service at the church. A time of food and fellowship will follow the service.

Clergy: Reverend Randy Whitehead

Interment: Hamar Cemetery, rural Rothsay, MN

Arrangements provided by Olson Funeral and Cremation in Fergus Falls.

Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com