Arlene Aalderks

Arlene H. Aalderks, age 86, of Willmar, died Sunday afternoon, July 27, at the Bethesda Heritage Center in Willmar.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 2, at the First Presbyterian Church. Interment will be at Roseland Reformed Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, August 1, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Memorials are preferred. www.petersonbrothers.com

Arlene was born on November 14th, 1927, to Abel and Helen (Negen) Blokzyl on a farm north of Renville. As a young child, she moved to a house near Emden Christian Reformed Church northwest of Renville. She attended country school through the 8th grade and then attended Renville Public School, graduating in 1946. After high school she attended Teachers Training School, graduating in 1947. Arlene taught Country Schools in the Roseland and Sacred Heart School Districts.

In November of 1950, Arlene was united in marriage to Lloyd Bulthuis. They had two children, Cindy and Jerry. They farmed near Roseland until Lloyd's death in 1962. She then moved to Renville. In 1963, Arlene was united in marriage to Andrew Aalderks of Renville, where they made their home with their four children: Gloria, Judy, Cindy & Jerry. Arlene lived in Renville until Andrew's death in 1995, then moved to Willmar.

Arlene was a loving wife, mother, cherished grandmother, great-grandmother and substitute teacher. She was active in her church, teaching Sunday School and Bible School, and was also involved with Women's groups.
Arlene loved spending time with family and friends, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed playing cards and games and always had "goodies" to serve whenever anyone came to visit.

Arlene is survived by her son, Jerry (and Robin) Bulthuis of Willmar; daughters, Gloria (and Dave) Blokzyl of Spicer, Cindy (and Greg) McElroy of Woodbury and Judy Santjer of Alexandria; eight grandchildren, Jeff, Bobbie Jo (and Johnny), Justin (and Jeanne), Ryan (and Tara), Travis (and Dianna), Dustin, Troy and Talia (and Dean) and fourteen great-grandchildren. She is also survived by many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, and many nephews, nieces and friends.

Arlene is preceded in death by her two husbands, Lloyd and Andrew; her parents; brothers, Hank, Renco and John; sisters, Evelyn, Frances and Jennie and her son-in-law, Randy Santjer.

Memorials are preferred.

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