Arlene E. (Olson) Selin

Arlene Ellen Selin, 97, of Princeton passed away on Wednesday, October 30, 2019 at GracePointe Crossing.

            She was born September 20, 1922 in Wyanett Township, Minnesota to David and Ellen (Moline) Olson.

            Arlene always said she felt like she was a Christian all her life but at 9 years of age she acknowledged Christ openly to her church and family

            Arlene attended Karmel School up to the eighth grade. She went to Karmel Sunday School and church all of her life.   Helped out with Vacation Bible School at 14 years of age, and taught Sunday School classes for years.

            In 1940 Pastor LeRoy Larson of Karmel contracted polio and needed someone to drive him up from Minneapolis, carry him in and out of his wheelchair.  The man that offered to drive him was our Dad, Paul Selin.  They were invited to Arlene’s parents’ home for Sunday dinner and that’s how they met.

            Arlene worked for Mrs Axel Olson for several years cleaning her whole house once a week.  She got $1.25 a day, and was about 15 or 16 then.  Arlene got $10.00 when she stayed with her for 2 weeks when she was sick.  With that money she bought her first coat and she still has it!

Arlene worked at Honeywell in Minneapolis from 1941 to 1947.  She also worked at the Cambridge Medical Center from 1979 to 1992.

            Paul and Arlene were engaged on November 1, 1942 before he went into the service, he was in for 3 years. She did not see him for over a year and said the Lord spared his life many times. Dad and Mom were married on September 22, 1945.  LaVonne was born in 1951 and Loretta in 1956.  Mom and Dad packed our suitcases, made food every weekend and drove us up to Karmel from Minneapolis.  We even stayed for the Sunday night services and sometimes went for coffee after.  In 1960 they built a 16-unit apartment building on the property where their house was. They were able to do that through Pastor Bud Hanke finding a contractor.  They called it Karmel Apartments because of that.  She took care of the tenants like they were all family, and constantly shared her love for Christ with them.

In 1976 they were able to sell that apartment and move to the “homeplace” so they were only 2 miles from church.

            Lake Beauty has always had a special place in our family.  Arlene always said how thrilled Paul and her were to just have a small part in the beginning of it and even a greater thrill to think of all the lives that have been changed.  She prayed that it would continue until he comes back for us.

            Arlene loved to crochet, knit, do hardanger, paint pictures and sew. She did all of this often especially after Paul passed.  Cooking and entertaining was her gift, she told us to “always make sure to give others your best, if all you have to give is a cup of coffee put it in the best cup you have”.

            Arlene was preceded in death by her parents, husband Paul Selin in 1985, infant sister Helen, sister Marvel Lindquist, brothers Reynold, Vernon and Paul Olson. 

            She is survived by her daughters LaVonne (Kurt) Thompson of Grand Rapids, Loretta (Kevin) Haley of Newport, seven grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren (almost 14), brother Harley Olson of Princeton, sister-in-law Carole Olson of Burnsville, as well as numerous nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.

         Funeral Services will be held at 4PM, Saturday, November 2, 2019 at Karmel Covenant Church with Pastors Jason Hovis and Aaron Thompson officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.  Interment in the church cemetery.  Memorials are preferred.

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