Arlene Helen Strain

On Monday February 23rd, the world lost a gentle and kind soul. Arlene Strain left this world peacefully in her home after battling several chronic illnesses. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Arlene Helen Baker was born July 11, 1943, in Chatfield, MN, to Helen Howardine Baker. She was raised in Pleasant Grove Township. She married Duane Strain on July 22, 1960. Together the couple raised three daughters at their home in Predmore, MN. The couple later divorced.

Arlene worked at Mayo Clinic as a unit secretary for over 20 years and supported many units across the Rochester campuses.

When not working, Arlene loved to cook, bake, and garden. Her favorite food was shrimp in any way, shape, or form, which generated a lot of good-natured teasing over the years. She loved all things Elvis and Disney. Though she never ventured outside of the United States, she loved to travel. She jumped at any opportunity to go to Disney World and even managed to get on stage in front of Cinderella's castle. She was able to travel to Branson several times to see her favorite country western artists. Most of all, she was able to visit Graceland and the home of her favorite singer.

Arlene was a favorite aunt to many nieces and nephews. She was up for any adventure with her family. She had a passion for genealogy and spent many hours researching family trees.

She taught her daughters to cook, sew, and garden from an early age. She was known for her Christmas baking. Every year she would bring out the peanut brittle, popcorn balls, and rosettes.

Arlene is survived by her three daughters Diane (Bruce) Reiman of Chatfield, Dawn Hild of Chatfield, and Denise Strain of St. Charles; six grandchildren Samantha (John Sumner) Reiman of Predmore, Clinton (Josi) Reiman of Rochester, Christopher (Tychelle) Reiman of Aberdeen, KS, Jeremy (Magda) Hild of Stuttgart, Germany, Joshua (Halston Shae) Hild of Seattle, WA and Al (Amanda) Strain of Sumner, IA; great-grandchildren Kyra and John, Jr. Sumner, Patrick, Cooper, Raelynn, Tucker, and Baby Reiman (Due March 2026), Jackson Hild, and Andrew and Noah Strain; brother Arlo King, sister Deb Hanson, stepsister Bonnie Jeffrey, and Stepbrother Melvin Hanson.

She is also survived by special friend Richard Whitcomb.

Arlene was preceded in death by her mother Helen Baker Hanson; brothers Roy King Jr., Gene King, and Jeffrey Hanson; and niece Jennifer Hanson.

Funeral service will be held 11:00 AM Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, 5421 Royal Place NW, Rochester, MN. Visitation will be held 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM Monday, March 2, 2026 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes and one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Pleasant Grove Union Cemetery.