Arlene Francis Wass

Arlene F. Wass, 72 of Devils Lake, formerly of York, ND passed away on Friday, April 20, 2007 at Mercy Hospital, Devils Lake after a courageous battle with lung cancer and emphysema. Funeral Services for Arlene will be held on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. Rev. Harold Ovre will officiate and burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Tuesday from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Wednesday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Arlene will be Lonnie Bartlett, Corey Bartlett, Arlen Peterson, Gary Murdoch, Mark Soper and Dennis Olson. Honorary Bearers will be Richard Soper, Gary Soper, Gary Kurtz, Barry Olson and Heidi Bartlett and all of Arlene’s many dear friends Music will be provided by Donovan Foughty, soloist and Lynda Pearson, organist Arlene Francis was born at her parents’ home in Devils Lake on March 28, 1935 to Leonard and Hilda (Benson) McMillan. She grew up on a farm in Ramsey County, attended Pelican Township Grade School and graduated from Devils Lake High School in 1953. Arlene was united in marriage to Duane T. Wass on August 13, 1955 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Devils Lake. They resided in York, ND for nine years before moving back to Devils Lake. Arlene worked at J.C. Penneys for twenty plus years and in food service at Devils Lake High School for five years. She was an avid Vikings football fan and enjoyed painting, crossword puzzles, bingo, teaching her bird, Cleo to talk and especially spending time with her great granddaughters. She was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church and the WELCA and the VFW Auxiliary. Arlene is survived by her husband, Duane Daughters: Pam Bartlett (Arlen Peterson) of Devils Lake Candace (Gary) Murdoch of Juneau, Alaska Grandsons: Lonnie Bartlett, Langdon, ND Corey (Allyson) Bartlett, Devils Lake Great Granddaughters: Danielle, Anna and Miranda Bartlett all of Devils Lake Sisters: Mae (Byron) Soper Ruth (Clifford) Olson all of Devils Lake Helen Hanson of Everett, Washington Jane (Erick) Zinke of Olympia, Washington Many Nieces and Nephews also survive She was preceded in death by an infant son; parents, Leonard and Hilda McMillan; brother, Arthur Halvorson; father-in-law and mother-in-law, George and Cecelia Wass; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Donald and Mildred Wass, Gordon and Lou Wass and Everett Hanson