Arline (Nuessmeier-Von Lehe) Karels

Arline (Nuessmeier-von Lehe) Karels was born Nov 16, 1925 in Sharon Township, Le Sueur County and died Dec. 11th, 2024 in Le Sueur at age 99. Memorial Service will be held Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Henderson, MN. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at a later date.

Arline was the oldest of three children of Fred and Ida (nee Latzke) Nuessmeier and is survived by her brother Don (Gail) Nuessmeier of Gaylord, MN and was preceded in death by her sister Lorene Nuessmeier in 2013.

She graduated from District 19, Dresselville, Le Sueur High School, and Mankato State University with a degree in Elementary Education. She taught in Nicollet and Le Sueur country schools and Henderson Elementary.

Arline married Don von Lehe in 1947 and they were blessed with four children: Susan (Fred) Wintermantel of Anacortes, WA; Larry (Lisa) von Lehe of Henderson; Jan von Lehe of Seattle, WA; Donna (Paul Santo) von Lehe of Stillwater, MN.  Arline’s grandchildren include Brian von Lehe Williams of Missoula, MT, Chris von Lehe Williams (Rita von Lehe) of Taylor TX, Anna Santo (Nathan Rice) of Bellingham, WA and Luke Santo of Denver, CO.

Arline and Don farmed near Rush River until 1965 when they moved and continued to farm near Henderson. Arline was active in women’s groups at Zion and St. Paul’s UCC churches, the Sibley County Historical Society and other community groups.  Don died in 1990 after a brief illness.

Arline married Bert Karels in 1996.  They enjoyed retirement, cherishing their families, world travel, and volunteering in the Henderson area until Bert’s death in 2017.  Arline was loved by Bert’s family, Randy, Wes, Eric, Karen, Nan, Bryan, Bruce and Wendy Karels and grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Arline received the most loving care from staff at Oak Terrace in Le Sueur in her final years and enjoyed time with friends there.