Arlene Marie Thornton

October 17, 1933 — August 20, 2018

Arlene Thornton, 84, of Barnesville, MN died on Monday, August 20, 2018 at Lake Region Hospital in Fergus Falls, MN.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM, Monday, August 27, 2018 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Barnesville, MN with Rev. Chris Leach officiating. Burial will follow in City Cemetery, Barnesville.

Visitation will be held Sunday 5-8 pm, at Dobmeier Funeral Home in Barnesville, MN with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the funeral service.

Arlene Marie Erickson was born on October 17, 1933 to Hans and Ina (Johnson) Erickson in rural Pelican Rapids, MN the 5th of fifteen children. She grew up on several different farms in rural Pelican Rapids and Baker, MN. Arlene attended Barnesville High School.

She was united in marriage to Clinton Arthur Thornton on October 18, 1949 in Baker, MN. They started out their married life in the Barnesville-Baker area. Arlene was the typical farm wife, helping with chores and animals, and raising her family.

For many years, she taught Sunday School and Bible School at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Barnesville. She enjoyed reading, and was a huge Minnesota Twins fan. Her greatest love was family and the little children.

Arlene is survived by her children: Wayne (Lou) of Cheboygan, MI, Brenda (Aldon) Horn of Fargo, ND, Joyce (Henry) Brown of Dickinson, ND, Jayne (Brad) Anderson of Downer, MN, and Jason (Michelle) of Buffalo, MN; 12 grandchildren: Adam Horn, Brandon (Connie) Anderson, Ryan (Amy) Anderson, Andrew (Kennan) Brown, Jade (Stephanie) Thornton, Adrian Thornton, Connor Thornton, Tracy Thornton, Theresa (Tad) Layman, Jennifer (Josh) Kvidt, Krista (Josh) Bothum, and Kelley (Mitch) Hartman. She is also survived by 14 great grandchildren: Ethan and Abigail Anderson, Ciara Horn, Aaron (Holly) Reiling, April, Nathan and Landon Jensen, Ava and Greta Brown, Caitlin and Kaley Kvidt, Charlie and Anna Bothum and William and Isaac Hartman; 2 great great grandchildren Tristan and Kylie Reiling, 8 siblings: Rodney, Terry, Bernard, Mickal, Inie, Sandy, Ellen and Landis, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Clinton in 2004; her parent; siblings: Alice, Jeanette, Phyllis, Lyle, Leonard, and Richard.