ARLENE CLARE (LARSON) SCHLAKE, 89, passed away peacefully Friday, November 8, 2013, at Cottagewood Senior Communities in Rochester.

Arlene was born October 8, 1924, in Eau Claire, Wis., to Arthur and Clara (Berntson) Larson. She graduated from Eau Claire Senior High School in 1941, and from the Fairview Hospital School of Nursing in 1948. During her time at Fairview, Arlene became a member of the Cadet Nurse Corps. She received her B.A. from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, in 1949 and was on the faculty of the Luther Hospital School of Nursing in Eau Claire until 1951. She married Eldean Schlake ‘50 on July 15, 1951, in Eau Claire, Wis. After her marriage, she moved to Rochester and worked at the Rochester State Hospital, the Mayo Clinic, the Methodist Kahler School of Nursing and the Rochester Methodist Hospital. Her nursing career included work in education, and developing patient education materials. She retired from the Rochester Methodist Hospital in 1986. She was a member of the Minnesota Nurses Association, American Society of Health Educators and Trainers. As a member of Zumbro Lutheran Church, she was involved in the choir, Altar Guild, and Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Arlene is survived by her children, Dean (Kristy) Schlake of Zumbro Falls, Minn., Cindy (David) Bailey of Brooklyn Park, Minn., and Jill (Bart) Clarke of Rochester, Minn.; grandchildren, Sarah Schlake, Justin (Tara) Schlake, Elizabeth (fiance, Nick) Schlake, Caleb (Kelly) Bailey, Caitlin Bailey, Taylor Clarke, Josiah Clarke and great-grandchildren, Maverick, Ashton, Charli and Addison. Arlene was preceded in death by her husband, Eldean, and by her grandson, Andrew Schlake (3/3/1987- 8/2/2013).

A memorial service was held November 23, 2013, at Zumbro Lutheran Church with the Reverend Vern Christopherson officiating. Inurnment was at Grandview Memorial Gardens. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com