Arlene Eleanor Walburg

Arlene Eleanor Hanson was born September 15, 1939, in Minneapolis to Archie and Eleanor (Holmquist) Hanson. She was the oldest of three children; she had two younger brothers, Donovan and Mark. Arlene graduated from Minnehaha Academy in 1957.

On November 30, 1957, Arlene married the love of her life, Warren Walburg. Together, Warren and Arlene had two daughters, Wendy and Leah. They moved into their first home in Crystal, MN and later moved to Cambridge. Warren and Arlene built a log home where they lived for over 30 years making countless memories with their children and grandchildren.

Arlene worked several different jobs throughout her life. She was an interior designer, secretary for Christian Service Brigade, and worked at Cambridge Christian Books among other jobs. Most notably, she was the dietary supervisor at Grandview, now Gracepoint senior living, for nearly 15 years. She made many friendships that lasted throughout her life. At one point during her “Grandview days” Arlene worked with her husband and both of her daughters, cherishing the time the whole family was employed together. Arlene and Warren enjoyed running Cambridge Furniture Studios for many years. She thoroughly enjoyed going to trade shows to purchase gifts to sell at the store.

Arlene loved traveling and went on many exciting adventures. In their early retirement, Warren and Arlene traveled to Panama City Beach, FL every winter. Warren and Arlene also enjoyed traveling to Mazatlan, Mexico. They first went to Mazatlan with friends and loved it so much they went back with the entire family two more times. Later in their retirement, Warren and Arlene bought a home in Sun City, AZ. Arlene proudly decorated their Arizona home with keepsakes from their Minnesota home and whatever deals she could find at local shops. She loved living in Arizona and loved having friends and family come visit even more.

Arlene’s travels included trips and missions work throughout the world. Arlene traveled to Ukraine with First Baptist Church of Cambridge. There she helped with a day camp for children and women’s groups. Arlene and Warren traveled to Mexico on a mission trip in 2009 where they put on a weeklong bible camp for children. Arlene had a love for children and a special passion for children’s ministries. She and Warren were very involved with Operation Christmas Child. Together, Warren and Arlene served as the area directors for Operation Christmas Child for many years. This ministry was very near and dear to Warren and Arlene and their love for mission work has carried on to the next generations.

Arlene loved being a wife, mom, grandma, and great-grandma. She put on many “grandma camps” where she planned a week-long camp for her grandkids to teach them all about different cultures. Hawaii, Sweden, and Ukraine are just some examples of Arlene’s grandma camps. She loved to teach her grandkids about the history and cultures of different countries and would make authentic meals from that country throughout the week. Arlene also loved Christmas! She decorated her house with multiple Christmas trees, extravagant decorations, and exquisite Christmas meals she would plan all year and keep secret from the rest of the family until her Christmas Eve dinner. Arlene loved planning family activities and planned many family golf and bowling tournaments that were always full of laughs for everyone in the family.

Arlene is survived by her daughters; Wendy Walburg and Leah (Ron) Lindell, grandchildren; Cara Lindell (Dan Murray), Craig (Emily) Lindell, Caitlin (Peter) Maring, and Kim Walburg, two great-grandchildren; Jameson and Lillian Lindell, and another (Baby Maring) due in March. She is also survived by her brother Mark Hanson and many other relatives and dear friends she made over the years. She was preceded in death by her husband Warren, her parents, and her brother Donovan.