Arabelle Cawelti

Arabelle “Arly” Cawelti, 84, of rural Underwood, died Saturday, April 6, 2013, at her home under the care of her daughters, granddaughters and Lakeland Hospice after a three-week illness of thyroid cancer.

Arabelle (Arly) Ann Cawelti was born March 17, 1929, to Mary Isabel Martin in rural Rosholt, S.D. She lived with her mother and grandparents until her mother married Robert Akerson in 1935. She was adopted by Robert after their marriage. She attended Country School in rural Rosholt, S.D. Her mother passed away in June of 1937. In 1940, Robert married Hazle Pearson. Arabelle attended West Central School of Agriculture in Morris.

She worked on the campus during the school year and during the summers at various Wheaton businesses where she met her husband, Leon Cawelti. They were married Dec. 17, 1947.
Leon and Arly lived in various places where Leon worked and in 1966, they moved to the Cawelti family farm north of Wheaton. They farmed until 1981, when they moved to Pleasant Lake north of Underwood.

Leon and Arly were foster parents for both Traverse and Otter Tail counties for many years. They had 10 foster children during this time.

Arly was active at Messiah Church. She had served as organist since 1990. She was in charge of quilting for many years and made hundreds of throws and quilts for the church ladies to donate. Some of the places included the Ronald McDonald House in Fargo and the Cancer Center in Fergus Falls.

Arly loved to sew, quilt, read and garden. Her and Leon grew wonderful garden produce and gave lots of it to others. She loved music, especially gospel and country. She was proud of her American Indian heritage and was a member ofthe Wahpeton-Sisseton Sioux Indian Tribe.

Preceding her in her death were her parents, and husband, Leon, who passed away Nov. 15, 2002.
Survivors include her six daughters. Cynthia Forcier of California, Cathy (Wayne) Hervey of Wheaton, Mary (Ron) Marlo of Fargo, Marcy Cawelti (Brian Kapphahn) of Elbow Lake, Pat (Bob) Horton of London, England and Peggy Moss of Fargo; grandchildren, Perry and Kristie Forcier, Gage Hervey, Kelly Levi, Theresa Mack,Christopher Marto, Kim Tenderholl, Dan Rittenour, Vincent and Zachary Kapphahn, Amber Pearce, Tate and Seth Horton and Erik and Dane Moss; and 10 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service is planned at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 10, 2013, at Messiah Lutheran Church in rural Underwood, with the Rev. Mike Natale officiating. Burial is planned at a later date. Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls is in charge of arrangements.