Arlene Louise Pochardt

Arlene Pochardt, age 96, of Marshall, Minnesota, passed away on Wednesday, August 30, 2017, at Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall, Minnesota. Funeral Services are 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 6, 2017, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Island Lake Township. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 5, 2017, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall. A prayer service is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m., Wednesday at the church.

Arlene Louise Spong was born on August 31, 1920, in Clifton Township, Lyon County, Minnesota. She was the daughter of H. Ben and Ethel (Miller) Spong. Arlene was baptized and confirmed at Clifton Evangelical Church, rural Marshall. She attended grade school in district 42 and graduated from Marshall High School with the class of 1937.

On March 15, 1945, Arlene was united in marriage to Lawrence Pochardt at the church parsonage in Marshall. The couple lived and farmed in Island Lake Township where Arlene was a loving homemaker and farm wife. She also worked as office secretary for Lyon County ASCS, Marshall Public Schools, Lyon County Extension Service, and in the Lyon County Public Health Offices. Lawrence and Arlene were blessed with nearly 60 years of marriage and raised two children: Lorraine and Donald. The couple moved to Marshall in 2000 and Lawrence passed away in 2004.

Arlene belonged to the Avera Marshall Auxiliary and volunteered with Prairie Home Hospice. She was a faithful member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, serving for many years as a Sunday School teacher, with the Ladies Aid, and LWMS. She also helped to write a comprehensive history of the church that was again recognized at the recent 125th church anniversary. Arlene was a dedicated woman, first to her family and church and later to her Hill Street and Avera families. Her other enjoyments in life included volunteer work, reading, gardening, traveling, and genealogy.

Arlene Pocahrdt entered her heavenly home on Wednesday, August 30, 2017. The next day she spent her 97th birthday with her Lord. Blessed be her memory.

Arlene is survived by her children, Lorraine (and Elmer) Green of Lynd, Donald (and Mary Jo) Pochardt of Hastings; 6 grandchildren, Steve (and Cathy) Green of Fargo, ND, Bonnie (Jason) Will of Dawson, Kristen Green of Lynd, Loren (and Amanda) Green of Minneapolis, Laura (and Garrett) Stennes of St. Paul, David Pochardt of Hastings; 6 great-grandchildren, Cassie Herberg, Georgia Will, Aaron Will, Charlie Will, Spencer Green, Andrew Green; sisters, Evelyn (and Francis) Hoffbeck of Marshall, Esther (and Dave) Schneider of Coon Rapids; many nephews, nieces, other relatives and many friends.

Arlene is preceded in death by her parents, Ben and Ethel Spong; husband, Lawrence Pochardt; and sister, Helen (and Leonard) Kruckenberg.