Arlene Fern Suckow was born on December 31, 1937, in Emmetsburg, IA, to Byron and Minnie (Griese) Tirevold. Arlene graduated from Chokio High School on June 3, 1955. She married Waldemar "Wally" Suckow on October 22, 1957. During her years of marriage to Wally, she worked alongside him on the farm. They lived on two farms near Holloway prior to moving to the family farm near Danvers, MN in 1970. She continued to keep up the farm after Wally's death in February of 1993. In December 1997, Arlene sold the family farm and moved to Chisholm, MN to live closer to her daughter, Marlene, and her children. In October 2005, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She underwent several rounds of chemo treatments and surgeries with the support of her family. She would periodically stay with her son, Ed, or daughter, Marlene, throughout the treatments. Arlene lived in Chisholm until September 2011, when she moved to make her home with Marlene in Farmington, MN. She spent the last few days of her life in the hospital surrounded by the love and support of her family. During the last hours of her life, she continued to project her undying faith in God and her strength and love for her family.In her spare time, she enjoyed crocheting, quilting, reading, cooking, baking, and sharing her wisdom with those around her. She treasured the simple moments of life, especially those involving her grandchildren and great-grandchild. She was always an avid member of the church guilds at St. John's Lutheran Church in Holloway and Faith Lutheran Church in Chisholm.Arlene was a selfless, giving and thoughtful individual who always put others needs before her own. She was a great listener and communicator who gave tremendous encouragement and support to all of her family and friends. Arlene's faith was the cornerstone that provided her the strength to endure the many hardships in her life especially in her fight against cancer. Through it all, her positive outlook on life was unyielding. She was thankful for the additional years of life that her chemo treatments provided her. Arlene's faith in God and her journey through life never waivered to the end, knowing that it was God's plan for her.Arlene died on Sunday morning, January 29th, 2012, at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. She was 74 years, and 28 days of age.She is survived by three children: Jalene (Keith) Benson of Volga, SD, Marlene Spates of Farmington, and Edward (Marcelle) Suckow of Brooklyn Park; nine grandchildren: Janelle (Jasen) Lenz, Geoffrey Benson, Jodi Benson, Shayla Spates, Kara Spates, Joshua Spates, Jacob Spates (fiancé Carrie Peterson), Robert Suckow and Ryan Suckow; one great-granddaughter: Angela Lenz; her sister, Viola (Donald) Olson of Swift Falls; three brothers: Richard (Marilyn) Tirevold of Monticello, Dennis (Delores) Tirevold of Cosmos, and Lyle (Mabel) Tirevold of Maple Grove; her sister-in-law, Shirley (Harold) Parady, of New Hope; her brother-in-law, Albert Monson, of Holloway; several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.She is preceded in death by her parents; husband Waldemar on February 9, 1993; an infant sister Rose; and an infant brother Wayne.
