Arlene Russell Sipola, 82, of Orr, MN passed away on Tuesday, February 5, 2019 in Livingston, Texas.

Arlene was born to Russell and Irja (Brandt) Sellman on April 25, 1936 in Virginia, MN.

Arlene attended school in Orr, graduating from Orr High School in 1955. After graduating, she pursued a nursing degree as a surgical nurse. She worked as a nurse in Grand Forks, ND.

In 1958, she moved back to Orr to help her grandmother with the family farm. She also worked for Dr. Hines at the Cook Hospital. In the 1960's she began a dairy operation of her own. While operating the farm she shipped her own milk by can and by bulk tank to AMPI in Duluth, MN until she went to Grade A. Along with farming, she drove truck and installed heating systems for GWG-Graham Grilley. She also operated out of her own home an adult foster care home for 25 years.

Arlene loved going to the St. Louis County Fair to show her prized Guernsey's. She won many state fair trips among the years. She loved gardening, growing flowers, entertaining, and cooking and canning. She always said her children were her prize possession; she loved her family with all her heart.

Arlene was preceded in death by her husband Andrew Sipola; grandparents Axel and Sandra Brandt; parents Irja and Russell; one brother John Finni; step-son Danny Sipola; granddaughter Nikki Rae Sipola; and sister Delores Barber.

Arlene is survived by her children: Avery (Marie Cloyd) Sipola and Angelene (Patrick) Aker; step-son Lester (Donna) Sipola; grandchildren: Joshua Sipola, Amanda Sipola, Lance Sipola, and Ashley Ryan Becicka; great-grandchildren Riley and Skyler Sipola and Desirae Becicka; sisters: Debra (Bill) Whiitanen and Sandy (Earl) Chamberlin.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 23, 2019 at 11:00am at the Orr American Legion, Orr, MN. To leave an online condolence visit www.mlakerfuneralhome.com