Arlene D. Messerich, 86, of Melrose, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, Aug. 23, 2024, at the CentraCare-Melrose Hospital in Melrose
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose with the Rev. Mitchell Bechtold officiating. Inurnment will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be 9-11 a.m. Sept. 4 at the church.
Arlene Dorothy Fiedler was born Dec. 31, 1937, in Buckman, Minnesota, to Casper and Irene (Walkoviak) Fiedler. She graduated from St. Francis Catholic School in Little Falls. She was united in marriage to Donald “Don” Messerich at St. Alexius Catholic Church in West Union. Arlene primarily took care of her family when the children were young and later in life volunteered at St. Mary’s Catholic School. She was a social butterfly who worked at the Little Bear Hardware Store in Melrose, Burger Kin, and Hardee’s and often greeted the customers by name. Arlene and Don enjoyed spending winters in Texas for 17 years.
She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose. Arlene enjoyed square dancing, arts and crafts, knitting, quilting and was a proficient seamstress. She was an excellent cook with her specialties being her Thanksgiving dressing, potato salad and caramel rolls.
Survivors include her husband of 67 years, Don Messerich of Melrose; children Julie (Neal) Johnson of Waite Park, Gary (Jodi) Messerich of Eagan, Debbie Messerich of St. Cloud, David Messerich of Eagan, Kevin (Lynda) Messerich of Sauk Rapids and Randy Messerich of Alexandria; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; and brothers and sisters Bernice Akervik of St. Wendel, Helen (Tim) Hinnenkamp of Melrose, Casper (Dee) Fiedler of St. Cloud, Sylvester (Cindy) Fiedler of Albany, William Fiedler of Albany and Allan (Jackie) Fiedler of Albany.
Arlene was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Janice “Jan” Derichs, Virginia “Tuffy” Fiedler, Lorraine “Mickey” Wessel and Constance “Connie” Buersken; brother Melvin Fiedler; and infant brother Marvin Fiedler.
Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral and Cremation Services of Melrose.
