Arlene Bordson

Arlene Bordson, 77 of Fergus Falls, passed away on Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at Pioneer Care Center in Fergus Falls. Her son, Allen, was at her side as she ended her difficult battle with cancer. Arlene was born in Fergus Falls on October 7, 1932 at the home of her grandmother. The daughter of Carl and Olga Anderson, she was raised on a small farm between Carlisle and Fergus Falls. She first attended country school and then completed her education at Fergus Falls High School, graduating in 1950.  Not long after, Arlene was introduced by friends to a young man at the Otter Tail County Fair. The man, a farmer named Burnett Bordson, offered to carry her vegetables to the 4H exhibit area. The two continued courting at gatherings and dances held in Fergus Falls and many small nearby communities. On December 7, 1952, they were married. Arlene and her husband made their first home on his farm near Elbow Lake. After their first son Allen was born, they moved to Fergus Falls. Their daughter Linda soon followed, but she was tragically taken from them in 1957 due to neuroblastoma. A second son, David, was born in 1960. Arlene lived in Fergus Falls for the rest of her life, but she and Burnett continued to own the farm where they first lived. The farm and her family were Arlene’s two greatest loves. Gardening, bowling and baseball were Arlene’s favorite pastimes. She was inducted into the Fergus Falls Bowling Hall of Fame in 1987 for her service as association secretary. Her love of the Minnesota Twins is shared by her entire family and they attended games nearly every year since their inception. Flowers grown in her backyard continue to bring joy to the family, even in this time of grief. After retirement, Arlene served as a member of the Lake Region Hospital Auxiliary, often logging hundreds of hours per year. She loved working in the gift shop and running errands for the medical staff. Survivors include her husband, Burnett; children Allen of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota and David of Saint Paul; and her brother Duane Anderson of Fergus Falls. She was preceded in death by her parents Carl and Olga (Kittleson) Anderson; daughter Linda; and her brother Clarence Anderson. Arlene will be remembered for her bright, sometimes wry sense of humor, her strength, and her profound kindness. Her family loved her very much and she will be greatly missed. Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church Service:11 a.m. Saturday, September 18, 2010, at First Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls Clergy:  Reverend Saul Stensvaag Interment: Ness Cemetery in Elbow Lake, Minnesota Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls