Arlene Smisek

Arlene A. Smisek, age 99 of Faribault, MN died on Tuesday, June 9, 2020 at The Emerald’s at Faribault.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, June 15, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 139 Mercy Drive in Faribault.  Interment will be held at the St. Lawrence Cemetery, Faribault.  For those unable to attend, the service will be live streamed through a link on Arlene’s obituary page.

Visitation will be held at the Church on Monday from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

All visitors are encouraged to follow CDC guidelines and practice social distancing when present at the visitation and funeral.

The family prefers that memorials be directed to Divine Mercy Catholic Church in memory of Arlene.

Arrangements are being completed by the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory of Faribault.

Arlene Augusta Keske, the daughter of Olga (Borgstahl) and William Keske was born on January 21, 1921 in Webster.  She was united in marriage to Joseph John Smisek on November 16, 1939.  Grandma Toots as she was affectionately known by her 11 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and 10 great great grandchildren spent her formative years in a small Webster country school and lived in Faribault most of her life.  During her lifetime, she witnessed many changes in the world, from going to Church in the winters in a sleigh, pulled by horses to seeing a man landing on the moon.  Arlene was a homemaker all her life, caring for her family, her garden and her pets. So many fun times were held at Grandma’s home enjoying her Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners.

She is survived by her four children, Connie Clark, Bob Smisek and RonaLee (Stan) Chavie, all of Faribault and Marlys Brezinski of Crosslake, MN; by her two sisters-in-law, RoseMarie Scott, Ida Smisek and by other relatives and friends.

Arlene was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Joseph, sons-in-law, Tom Clark, Michael Brezinski, daughter-in-law, Jane Smisek, brother, Ray Keske, sister, Verna Storlie and other sisters and brothers-in-law.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Mill City Senior Living for the care Arlene was given this past year.