Arlene P. Nienhuis

Arlene Pearl (Springer) Nienhuis, 89, of Devils Lake, ND, passed away on Monday, March 16, 2015 at her home surrounded by her family. Arlene’s funeral service will be held at 2:00p.m. on Monday, March 23, 2015 at Gilbertson’s Funeral Home in Devils Lake. Visitation will be Sunday, March 22, from 4:00-7:00p.m. at Gilbertson’s. Interment will be in the Devils Lake cemetery. Pastor Steve Kyner of the Church of God (7th Day) will officiate. Special music will be provided by her children, grandchildren, great-nieces and great-nephews. Casket bearers will be Abigail (Nienhuis) Kyner, Molly Nienhuis, Carrie Nienhuis, Mark Nienhuis, Katarina Nienhuis, Matthew F. Nienhuis, Anna Nienhuis, James Nienhuis, John Nienhuis, Mary Nienhuis, Sophia Kyner, and Malachi Treybig. Arlene was born on the farm near Dixon, South Dakota, on July 27, 1925, the daughter of Hans and Gladys (Cook) Springer. She attended Pocahontas Public School, a one-room eight grade country school. She graduated from Gregory High School, Gregory, SD, in 1943. She attended the summer session at Southern State Teachers College, Springfield, South Dakota. Her first teaching job was at a country school near Gregory, SD in 1943-44. Arlene’s father passed away on January 1, 1944. That fall, Arlene, her sister Alice, and mother moved to Aberdeen where Arlene and Alice attended Northern State Teachers College. They graduated in May 1945, after completing the one year teacher’s program. Arlene taught grades 4, 5, and 6 at the Jud Consolidated Public School in Jud, ND. In 1948, Arlene and her sister moved to Lodi, California. Their mother joined them a year later. Arlene was employed by Gaylord Brothers, Inc., a library supply company located in Stockton, California. She was the head of the billing department for nearly ten years. On January 5, 1958, Arlene and Matthew Nienhuis of Lawton, ND, were married in Lodi. Matthew’s parents had moved to Galt, California in 1946. Eventually, his parents moved to Lodi, just down the street from the house Arlene, her sister, and mother had built in 1951.Both families became well acquainted through attending the Church of God (7th Day) in Lodi. Matthew would spend his winters in California pruning vineyards. One afternoon in 1956, as Arlene was mowing the lawn at her home, Matt came driving up and asked her out to dinner. They became engaged in the summer of 1957. In the spring of 1958, Arlene resigned her position at Gaylord Brothers, and they moved to the farm in rural Lawton. Having grown up on a farm in South Dakota, Arlene enjoyed farm life in North Dakota. She and Matt reared three sons on the farm. Winters were spent in Lodi with Arlene’s mother. Arlene would “school” their boys to make sure they were caught up with their North Dakota studies when they returned in the spring. In 1994, Arlene and Matt moved to Devils Lake where they had built a home. They enjoyed retirement but were both willing to come to the farm at a moment’s notice to help in any way needed. Their home became a gathering place for family and friends. Each Saturday after church, everyone was welcome to gather for fellowship and supper at their home. They were very involved in the Church of God (7th Day) of Devils Lake. For years, Arlene tended to the lawn and flowers at the church. The grandchildren were very important to Arlene and Matt. Arlene would say that there was nothing better than having all their children and grandchildren spending the night in her home. After Matt’s death in 2004, Arlene continued to live in her home. Her grandchildren would stop by for lunch daily while attending college in Devils Lake. Arlene would look forward to each visit. After her most recent hospitalization, she returned to her home to the care of her family and Altru Hospice. Arlene is survived by her sons: Ronald (Lori) Nienhuis of Lawton, ND, Donald Nienhuis of Lawton, ND, Keith (Cindy) Nienhuis of Galt, CA. Grandchildren: Abigail (Stephen, Jr.) Kyner of Minot, Molly, Carrie, and Mark Nienhuis of Lawton, ND, Katarina and Matthew F. Nienhuis of Galt, CA. Great-granddaughter Sophia Kyner of Minot. Sisters-in-Law: Catherine Carlin of Stanberry, MO, and Alice Sheffield of Lodi, CA. Arlene was preceded in death by her husband, sister, mother, father, brothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law. Memorials may be made to Spring Vale Academy, 4150 S.M-52, Owosso, MI 48867, the Christian high school her sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren attended.