Arlene Pearl Rain

Arlene Pearl Rain, 87, passed away gracefully March 11, 2017 at Chosen Valley Care Center in Chatfield.

Arlene Pearl Erickson was born January 27, 1930 to Peter and Alpha Erickson.  Arlene spent her early years in the Pilot Mound area, graduating from Chatfield High School.

Vergel and Arlene Rain married, lived, and raised six children in the Pilot Mound, Preston area.  After cooking for years at the Rebound Inn in Preston, Arlene spent 27 years cooking at the Branding Iron in Preston.  She attempted to retire at age 80, but after being compared to Brett Favre, made her comeback and worked until she was 82. 

Although no one could make pie or boil lutefisk like Mom, her true passion was her flowers.  If the sun was shining, she was outside digging in the dirt.  The only love that could top flowers was her family.  Every Easter Sunday, July 4th, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day dinner came with an unspoken invitation.  She was an amazing family nucleus that will be greatly missed and impossible to replace. 

Arlene is survived by six children: Ronald Rain (Nancy Alexander Doughty) of Chatfield, Romona Himli (Steve Sutherland) of Fountain, Rhonda (Terry) Ostby of Chatfield, Rodney (Brenda) Rain of Mabel, Rhenee Grabau of Preston and Roxane McKay of Harmony;  19 grandchildren, their spouses and 36 great-grandchildren.  She is survived by brothers Myron Erickson of Chatfield and Phil (Helen) Erickson of Marion; sisters-in-law Marion (Arnold) Erickson of Chatfield, RuthAnn (Pete) Bungum of Anamosa, Elaine Rain (Maurice) of Hopkins; and brother-in-law Roger Rain, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Vergel, three brothers, and one brother-in-law.

The funeral service for Arlene will be 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 15, at Christ Lutheran Church, 509 Kansas Street NW, Preston.

Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 14, at Riley Funeral Home in Chatfield and continue one hour prior to service on Wednesday at church.

The family wishes to express gratitude to the Chosen Valley Care Center for loving Mom like MOM. 

Riley Funeral Home in Chatfield, Minn., is assisting the family with arrangements.   To share condolences with the family, please visit rileyfuneralhomes.com.