Arlene Catherine Lensing

Arlene Catherine Lensing, 82, of Wabasso, MN passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 12, 2015 at the Redwood Area Hospital in Redwood Falls. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 am on Saturday, December 19, 2015 at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Wabasso. Visitation will be from 4 – 8 pm on Friday with a prayer service at 7:30 pm followed by a rosary service all at the church. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the mass at the church on Saturday. Interment will be in the St. Anne’s Catholic Cemetery. Online condolences may be placed at www.sunsetfuneralassociation.com. The Sunset Funeral & Cremation Association is caring for the family. Arlene Catherine (Macht) Lensing was born on Monday, September 11, 1933 to Joseph P. and Agnes Catherine (Soupir) Macht on the family farm in Granite Rock Township, Redwood County, Minnesota. She was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Lucan. She attended District 80 country school and graduated from Milroy Public High School in 1951. On September 27, 1952, Arlene was united in marriage to Kenneth Lensing at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Lucan. They made their home on the Lensing family farm in Waterbury Township, Redwood County, Minnesota until 1990 when they lived for a brief time in Redwood Falls. They moved into their current home in Wabasso in 1991. Arlene was a farm wife and homemaker, mother, and also worked many years outside the home. She worked over the years as secretary at the Milroy Public Schools, Leistikow Store in Wabasso, Home Start for Western Community Action, Ehlers Department Store in Redwood Falls, Wabasso Nursing Home and Puzzle Craft in Wabasso, and over 15 years at Jackpot Junction Casino in Morton. Arlene was actively involved in her church serving as Eucharistic Minister, member of church choir and CCW. She also volunteered many hours in her community at WAFER (Wabasso Area Food Emergency Relief) and with the Progress Club. Mom put love into everything she baked. She made the best bread and sweet buns, caramel rolls, lemon meringue pie, jelly rolls, mock angel food cake, peanut blossom, sour cream sugar and no bake cookies, kolachies, and so many more. She was also a wonderful cook always making sure she made everyone’s favorites. Mom/Grandma actively supported and attended her children’s activities along with attending every activity she could of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mom met every one of life’s joys and challenges with equal energy, passion and love. She was a true participant in life enjoying camping with her family, attending plays, musicals and concerts, playing cards, bowling, singing, Red Hat Society and spending time with family and friends. She was also a clown, entertaining many. She and Dad loved to dance. Mother/Daughter/Daughter-in-Law weekends were treasured times. Receiving the special dedication at the musical Hello Dolly at Chanhassen Dinner Theatre was something she fondly talked about. She never left home without her lipstick or her “just in case” bag. On Saturday, December 12, 2015, Arlene passed away peacefully at the Redwood Area Hospital in Redwood Falls at the age of 82 years, 3 months, and 1 day. She was surrounded by love from her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She is survived by her seven children, Deborah (Daniel) Hengel of Elbow Lake, Steve (Rhonda) Lensing of Bird Island, Jean (Steve) Nelsen of Clements, Susie Grunewald of Wabasso, Joyce (Kevin) Friedrich of New London, Diane (Keven) Hillenbrand of Blomkest, and Gregory “Hammer” (fiancé Lisa Herrig) Lensing of Comfrey; 20 grandchildren: Carrie (Ross) Wubben, Catherine (Nate) Borud, Kristopher Hengel, Nikolaus (Michelle Morris) Hengel; Tina (Scott) Hanna, Danny (Sabrina) Lensing; Andrea Nelsen (Matt Belles), Kim (Rick) Louwagie, Kathy Nelsen; Ernest (Crystel) Grunewald, Bridgette Grunewald; Caleb Friedrich (Dani Skaggs), Marissa Friedrich; Nick (Jena) Hillenbrand, Jennifer (Jeremiah) Dahl, Kyle Hillenbrand, Jon Hillenbrand (Lindsey Rodelius); Jessica Lensing (Jason Brawand), Kenny Lensing, Whitney Lensing (Brandon Kosiarski); 28 great grandchildren: Grayson, Sigourney, Channing Wubben; Madeline, Sophia, Calvin, Grace Hanna; Tyler, Steven, Chase, Alexis Lensing; Anissa Peppersack, Ethan, Blaise, Jalyn Louwagie; Rylee Nelsen; Kelsey, Alivia, Gavin Grunewald; Anistasia Grunewald, Baby Grunewald (due shortly); Triston, Keianna Hillenbrand; Peyton, Ashton, Cooper Dahl; and Hayden, Brendon, Stevey Lensing; sisters-in-law, Shirley Macht of Wabasso, and Phyllis Lensing of Marshall; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth; son, Daniel; granddaughter, Jennifer Hengel; her parents; and siblings, Myron Macht, Lorraine Vazguez, Dorothy Torborg, and Richard “Dick” Macht. Blessed be her memory.