Arlene Maxine Derickson was born on February 27, 1926 in Lamberton, Minnesota to the late Anton and Alvina (Seefeldt) Balfany. She received her education in the Lamberton Public Schools.
On June 30, 1946, Arlene was united in marriage to Arnold L. Derickson at the Highwater Lutheran Church in rural Lamberton. They farmed on various farms following their marriage until 1959, when they moved with their family to Jeffers. Since 1965, Arlene and Arnold made their home in Windom. For over ten years, Arlene worked at the Windom Area Hospital as a cook in the kitchen before retiring. Arnold passed away on May 1, 1997. After his death, Arlene continued to live in Windom and for the past two years, Arlene had been living at Golden Horizon Assisted Living in Worthington, Minnesota. On Sunday, April 22nd, 2018, Arlene passed away at her home in Worthington at the wonderful age of 92 years.
Arlene was a longtime member of the American Lutheran Church in Windom where she was a member of the church circle and bible study. She was an excellent seamstress and sewed three of her daughters' wedding dresses along with friends of the family. She also sewed and sold Cabbage Patch doll clothes for many years. Arlene had many enjoyments in life which included jigsaw puzzles, word finds, playing cards, an avid Twins fan, watching Wheel of Fortune, gardening and spending time with her family; especially her grandchildren.
She is survived by her seven children, Minerva Timmons of Charlotte, NC; Merle (Gayle) Derickson of Windom; Janel (Gary) Ewert of Worthington; Kenneth Derickson of Windom; Eileen (Vern) Derickson-Dauer of Duncan, OK; Christine (Timothy) Nichols of Gaylord; David (Jody) Derickson of Windom; daughter-in-law, Teresa Derickson of Austin, TX; 26 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great grandson; three siblings, Olive Nerem of Savage; Ellen Wardenburg of Iowa City, IA; Reva Walder of Willmar; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arlene is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Arnold Derickson; son, Arvin Lee Derickson; granddaughter, Priscilla Ann Timmons; son-in-law, Richard Will; daughter-in-law, Judy Derickson; two brothers, Roy and Neal Balfany; three sisters, Leota Foss, Odena Weilage and Ivadell Wood.