Marilyn Radi Arneson

Marilyn Radi Arneson, 92, of Watertown, SD, and a former longtime Crookston, MN resident, passed away early Thursday morning, March 21, 2024, in Edgewood Memory Care, Watertown, with family by her side.

 The daughter of Arthur and Laura (Haugen) Langseth, Marilyn Aloise was born in Fosston, MN on September 27, 1931. She grew up on the family’s farm, south of Gully, MN; was baptized in the Lund Lutheran Church, Gully, and confirmed in Zion Lutheran Church, rural Gully. Marilyn began her education in the Willowside Country School, followed by enrollment at the Fosston High School where she graduated with the Class of 1949. She went on to attend the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. In 1952 she earned her degree as a Registered Nurse from the Grand Forks Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing and was ready to begin what would become a 41-year career of her ‘calling in life’. Marilyn moved to Thief River Falls, MN to work at the hospital there for a year. She then came to Crookston where she was employed at St. Francis Hospital for a few months before accepting a position at Bethesda Hospital. Thus, Marilyn began her very fulfilling career as a Surgical and Post-Operative Recovery Room Nurse at Bethesda, which later became known as Riverview Hospital. Professionally she was a longtime member of the Minnesota Nursing and Post-Anesthesia Associations. At her retirement celebration in 1993, Marilyn was named Nurse of the Year, an honor bestowed on her by her peers. 

 On April 24, 1955, Marilyn was united in marriage to Dallas Charles Radi in the Hope Lutheran Church in Fosston. Their union would be blessed by the births of 3 sons: Jeff, Michael, and Scott. Marilyn and Dallas were devoted members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Crookston where she taught Sunday School, served on the Church Council, held offices in WELCA, was a member of the Altar and Quilting Guilds, and volunteered as a parish nurse visiting members who needed assistance in their homes. 

 Marilyn and Dallas never missed a school event or game of their boys, proudly supporting their every accomplishment. She served on the Central High School Parents Advisory Council and was a Cub Scout Den Mother for her boys in their early years. Marilyn enjoyed bowling, cross-country skiing, crafting, and going to movies and concerts. She and Dallas experienced several wonderful trips around the country and has especially fond memories made while visiting Hawaii and the Caribbean Islands. Following their retirements they moved to their home on Lake Cormorant near Lake Park, MN and became members of Cormorant Lutheran Church. Marilyn began working during summer months as a nurse for Hospice of the Red River Valley in both Fargo, ND and Detroit Lakes, MN. Winters were spent as “snow birds” in Florida, Texas, and Arizona, making many new friends while golfing, dancing, and playing cards and shuffle board. After a courageous battle with cancer Dallas passed away on June 14, 2000. They had been married for 45 years. Marilyn moved to Fargo soon after where she attended Elim Lutheran Church and became a volunteer at the welcome desk of the Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead, MN.

 On September 27, 2003, Marilyn married Charles Arneson in a ceremony held at Elim Lutheran Church, Fargo. The couple settled into their home at Lake Poinsett, SD and in 2010 moved to Watertown, SD.

 Marilyn’s memory will be forever cherished by Charles, her beloved husband of more than 20 years; her 3 sons and daughters-in-law: Jeff and Ann Radi of Ray, ND, Michael and Deb Radi of Champlin, MN, and Scott and Terry Radi of Kaunakakai, HI; 5 grandchilden: Ben and Natalie Radi, Annalise and Nick Elenz, Abigail and Brandon Weltikol, Melissa and David Lehn, and Erica and Chad Risberg; seven great grandchildren, Mason Lehn, Madelynn Lehn, Gunnar Risberg, Zoey Risberg, Dallas Weltikol, Lilou Radi, and William Radi; 4 step-children: Lon and Denise Arneson of Chippewa Falls, WI, Ned and Joanne Arneson of Hayti, SD, Mary and Peter Manley of Wisconsin Rapids, WI, and Mona and Frank Cifadi of Cumberland, WI; 5 step-grandchildren: Gretchen Arneson, Ingrid and Daniel Schroeder, Emma Cifaldi, Matthew and Anna Manley, and Carly Arneson; great grandchildren, Adeline Manley and Steven Schroeder; sister, Grace Hogenson of Crookston, MN; and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. 

 In addition to her first husband, Dallas, Marilyn is preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Laura Langseth; brother, Maynard Langseth; brother-in-law, Dennis “Ben” Hogenson; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Earl and Eleanor Radi; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Lloyd and Rita Radi.  

 Marilyn loved Dallas and her sons and daughters-in-law dearly and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren meant the world to her. She considered herself to be twice blessed for the past 20 years as that love grew to include Charles and his wonderful family, who became her own. 

 May God richly bless the memory of Marilyn (Langseth) Radi Arneson.

 Marilyn’s life will be celebrated with a Memorial Service to be held at 11 AM on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Crookston, MN, with The Rev. Chad Brucklacher, officiating. Visitation with the family will be for one hour prior to the service. The funeral will be livestreamed by going to her obituary page at www.stenshoelhouske.com and clicking on the prompt to view. Inurnment will take place in the Oakdale Cemetery, Crookston. Messages of condolence may be offered to the family on the funeral home website as well.