Arlene Marion Kerkow

Arlene Kerkow, age 67, of Belle Plaine died on Thursday, April 7, 2011 at The Lodge on Natchez in Elko New Market. Funeral Service will be at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, April 11, 2011 at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Belle Plaine, Rev. John Zeitler will officiate. Visitation will be on Sunday from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at the Kolden Funeral Home in Belle Plaine and will continue one hour prior to the service at church on Monday. Interment will be in the Oakwood Cemetery in Belle Plaine. Arlene was born in Rush River on March 4, 1944 to Irie and Mayme (Milbrandt) Bergs. She was Baptized on April 5, 1944 and Confirmed on March 30, 1958 at St. John Lutheran Church in Belle Plaine. In December of 1948 her family moved to Belle Plaine where she graduated from high school in 1962. She worked in her sister's café for a time. In October of 1964, Arlene married William "Bill" Kerkow at St. John Lutheran Church in Belle Plaine. They lived in Savage where Arlene worked in a café. They moved to Belle Plaine in 1966. She was employed at various administrative assistant jobs, the longest being for Trinity Lutheran Church as their church secretary where she retired after 29 years of work. She enjoyed bowling, golfing, bingo, and spending time with her family and friends. Arlene is preceded in death by her parents, parents in law, Erwin and Ludina Kerkow, brothers in law, Erwin Jr. and Eileen Kerkow, Walter Schultz, Stephen Gilbertson and Lee Christensen, and nephew, David Woestehoff. Arlene is survived by her husband of 46 years, William E. "Bill" Kerkow of Belle Plaine, MN, Daughter, Stacy Kerkow-Dohmen and husband Greg of New Prague, MN, Grandchildren, Jacki Kerkow-Dohmen and Christopher Dohmen. Siblings, Vera (Louie) Lieske of Belle Plaine, MN, Jim (Connie) Bergs of Belle Plaine, MN, Carol Schultz of Edina, MN Darlene (Bill) Murphy of Shakopee, MN, Bob (Pat) Bergs of Ft. Walton Beach, FL, Don Bergs of Eagan, MN, Susie (Alex) Fjelstad of Hopkins, MN, Sandi Bergs-Gilbertson of Hudson, WI. Sisters in law, Yvonne (Earl) Woestehoff of Belle Plaine, MN, Lois (Roy) Landela of Prior Lake, MN, Edith Christensen of Brainerd, MN, Helen (Dan) Stern of San Diego, CA,and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to the Queen of Peace Foundation or to Caring Bridge.