Arleen Whitcomb

d. March 10, 2017

EYOTA – A Celebration of Life Service for Arleen Whitcomb, 86 will be on Saturday, March 18th, at Faith United Methodist Church in Eyota; the Rev. Mark Woodward will officiate. Visitation with the family will be from 9:30 a.m. – 10:29 a.m. in the church sanctuary. An Eastern Star Service will begin at 10:30 a.m., followed immediately by the Celebration of Life Service. A private burial at Oak Grove Cemetery will be at a later date. Mrs. Whitcomb, a life-long Eyota resident, died Friday (March 10, 2017 at her home, surrounded by many of her family.) Arleen JoAnne Ernst was born June 25, 1930 in Olmsted County, Eyota, MN, to Christine and Lloyd Ernst. She graduated from Eyota High School in 1948. Arleen had the lead in the Eyota High School Musical, “An Old Kentucky Garden.” She also held roles in many of her 4-H Club One-Act Plays. After graduation, Arleen worked on the Orthopedic Floor at Mayo Clinic as a desk attendant until she married the love of her life, her best friend, Walter P. Whitcomb, on July 8, 1950. After that date, she was busy on the farm feeding calves, managing the books, and doing everything else that was needed. She also held a part time job helping her brother, Dr. Robert Ernst, as his medical book keeper. During the early years of her marriage, Arleen was active in the Methodist Church of Eyota as a choir member, a Sunday School Teacher, as well as serving on various committees. She was also an active member in the Royal Robins Group, and a member of the local Eastern Star Chapter. Arleen spent much of her spare time working on jig saw and crossword puzzles, was an avid MN Twins, Vikings, Lynx, and Gophers fan. She had mastered many of the computer games found on POGO.com, as well as many card games, Boggle, and Scrabble. Arleen has made over 700 Angel Food Cakes for family member birthdays and anniversary celebrations. These special days would not be the same without her cakes, her chocolate chip cookies, and her homemade bread. Arleen was the happiest when she was surrounded by her family and friends as she listened to the events of the day, the accomplishments on the farm or in the workplace, and looked forward to all of the upcoming events. Arleen is survived by son Larry (Cindy Burgdorf) of Eyota: their oldest son Kyle (Paula Gilson) of Oshkosh, WI - and their children Tessa, Lucy, and Grace; their youngest son Scott (Betsy Strachota) of Grafton, WI - and their children Carter and Eleanor. Son Rev. Randy (Michelle Gentile) of Troy, MI and their children Joshua and Miranda. Daughter Nancy (Deborah Vosler) of Eyota, MN. Son Jason (Julie Batzel) of Dover, MN and their daughter Aubrey. Other survivors include: her siblings Darrell Ernst of Voorhees, NJ; Marilyn Kiefer of Juneau, AK; and Burton Ernst of Deer Park, WA; her sister-in-law Midge Ernst of Eyota; her brother-in-law James (Linda Copeman) Whitcomb, of Eyota; and special family friends including Paul (Lucy Loftus) Veermersch of Rochester, MN, as well as a plethora of cousins, nieces and nephews. Arleen was preceded in death by her parents Lloyd and Christine Wangsness-Ernst; husband Walter Parker Whitcomb (May 20, 2008); brothers and sisters-in-law Raymond (Dora Hair) Ernst, Dr. Leonard (Eleanor Madsen) Ernst, Dr. Robert Ernst, and Layton Ernst; sisters and brothers-in-law Florence Lee (Ernest), Delores Grieff (John), Annie Ernst, and Nona Ernst; and granddaughter Mariah. Walter’s siblings and their spouses Francis (Madeline) Whitcomb, and Margaret (Wayne Grannemann). Friends may join Mrs. Whitcomb’s family for lunch and stories, in the church fellowship hall following the service. At Arleen’s request her body has been donated to the Mayo Clinic Anatomy Department Bequest Program for research and study by medical students. Memorials are preferred to Faith United Methodist Church of Eyota, Dover-Eyota High School Dollars for Scholars Walter P. and Arleen J. Whitcomb Scholarship, and Seasons Hospice. Schad and Zabel Funeral Home of Eyota is handling arrangements.

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Arleen Whitcomb

d. March 10, 2017

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