Date of Birth:
Sunday, July 28, 1935
Date of Death:
Saturday, February 21, 2026
Age:
90 years old

Arlene J. Folkert

We remember Arlene with thanksgiving that our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel and has called her home.

Arlene Janette Folkert (nee Link), age 90, of Rochester, Minnesota, was called to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Saturday, February 21, 2026.

Arlene was born on July 28, 1935, to George and Grace Link (nee TerMaat) in the farming village of Greenleafton, near Preston, Minnesota. Her parents were thrilled to add a treasured baby girl to their family of five older sons. Arlene grew up on the family farm, helping her mother with gardening, canning, and cooking, and her father with the animals, fieldwork, and errands. She regularly attended services at the Greenleafton Reformed Church; she was baptized and continued to study God’s Word throughout her life. She attended elementary grades at Prairie Queen School and graduated from Preston High School in 1953.

After graduation, Arlene moved to Rochester, initially working as a city payroll assistant and later taking a position with the Rochester Chamber of Commerce. Through her work, she met many people and during a small employee coffee break, a friend asked if anyone would be interested in a blind date with her younger brother, Art. Arlene enthusiastically volunteered!

On February 2, 1957, Arlene married Arthur Folkert at Greenleafton Reformed Church in Greenleafton, Minnesota. They made their home in Rochester and were blessed with six children. Art and Arlene shared 65 years of loving marriage before Art’s passing in 2022.

Arlene was a devoted wife and mother whose greatest joy was nurturing her lively family. She believed every child was a precious gift from God and poured her heart into creating a warm, welcoming home filled with love, laughter, and steady guidance. She taught her children timeless values, practical skills, and a deep faith through everyday moments: patiently showing them how to plant seeds, tie a knot, or pray with open hearts. Resourceful and always optimistic, Arlene turned frugality into adventure; she delighted in garage-sale treasures that sparked new friendships. Together with Art she tended a sprawling vegetable garden that fed her family year-round and filled the kitchen with the aroma of fresh-baked goods from recipes she loved to share. As the family’s enthusiastic “navigator,” she mapped out memorable fishing getaways to Northern Minnesota and epic month-long road trips, plotting scenic byways and daily delights that turned travel into cherished tradition. She saw her family as a joyful team -encouraging each member to pitch in, try new things, and grow together. Handmade crafts, food, and thoughtful gifts flowed from her hands as expressions of love that her children and grandchildren still treasure.

After her children were independent, Arlene spent more time with friends – old and new – radiating her happy spirit and spunk while sharing about their lives with each other. She was a thoughtful and generous friend, giving hand-made gifts and food to many; she valued friendships as blessings from God in the garden of life. Arlene also was employed as a para-professional for many years in the Rochester Public School district, helping young children with physical challenges. She cared deeply for the children that she worked with and considered it a privilege to get to know them and their families.

Arlene’s deep and unwavering love for Christ, rooted in firm faith, guided her to serve in countless ways. She taught her children-and shared in heartfelt personal conversations-that it is Christ’s death and resurrection alone, by God’s grace, that saves us from sin and brings eternal life. She demonstrated her faith by participating in church Bible studies, taught Confirmation class, and formed a Friendship Pal mentoring program, in which an older mature Christian woman would model her faith to a Confirmation student. She also served in church-sponsored service activities to meet the needs within the wider community. She nourished her soul daily through reading Christian books and Scripture with quiet devotion. Arlene was-and remains-a faithful servant of Jesus Christ.

She is survived by her children Barb (Jeff) Gustafson of Edina, Dee (Terry) Smith of Rochester, Michelle (Andy) Kulich of Rochester, Gary (Jen) of Bloomington; grandchildren Jason, Tom, Bryan, Jon, Colene, Jennifer, Olivia, Kevin, Claire, Nick, Anna, and Katie as well as eleven (11) great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband Arthur, her son Gregg Arthur, infant son Craig Allen, her brothers Alvin, Gordon, Vernon, Kenneth and Orlo, and her parents.

A Funeral service will be held at 11:00 Friday, March 6, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church. The visitation will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Thursday, March 5, 2026, in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Pastor Robert Lentz will be officiating with interment at Oakwood East Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church in memory of Arlene Folkert or to The Lutheran Hour.

Arlene’s family sincerely thanks the pastors, members, and staff of Trinity Lutheran Church for their support and prayers. The family also expresses deep appreciation to the caring team at Benedictine Madonna Towers Care Center for their gentleness, patience, kindness, and compassion toward Arlene and the family, even on difficult days. Sincere thanks to Arlene’s Mayo Community Internal Medicine team members, Dr. Mairead Bartley and nurse practitioner Melanie Hansen for their diligence and sensitivity in caring for Arlene’s medical needs. Thanks also to Mayo Hospice for their support of Arlene and our family in the last week of her life.

“I lift my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” We give thanks to God our Father through Jesus Christ, our Lord, for His faithful servant Arlene.