A Loving Tribute
Arlene Louise Schaefer
December 30, 1941 – January 13, 2025
Submitted by Dale W. Schaefer
Arlene’s family includes her husband of 62 years, Dale Wesley, and two children: Joel Wesley Schaefer (wife Gayathri Joyce) of Grand Junction, Jeanne Marie Schaefer-Sims (husband Rod Sims) of Edmond, OK. Her grandchildren are Andrew Michael Williams of Los Angeles, CA, Wesley Sekharan Schaefer of Annapolis, MD and Wyatt Narayan Schaefer of Grand Junction. Her children and three of her sisters were with her in her last days and hours.
Arlene was born in Cokato, MN, on December 30, 1941, to Ruth Ida Wessman Tellgren and Clarence Roosevelt Tellgren; she was the seventh of ten siblings. All her grandparents emigrated from Sweden in the 19th century, seeking religious freedom in America. Arlene had a passion for Swedish culture, food and language. She gained a rudimentary knowledge of Swedish through courses at the University of Cincinnati. With her sisters, she traveled to Sweden and attended Swedish language camp in Wisconsin.
Upon graduation in 1959 from Dassel-Cokato High School (MN), Arlene attended Wheaton College (IL) for two years. She graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a BS in Biology in 1967. Less than 5% of the class of 1967 were female. She was pregnant during her senior year. She received an MBA from the University of New Mexico in 1980.
Arlene worked as a food technician at General Mills (MN), a medical technician at Cook County Hospital (IL), Harvard University (MA), and the University of New Mexico. She also taught medical technology at night. After earning her MBA she worked as an accountant, auditor and administrative assistant at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, NM. Upon retirement from Sandia, she served as the church administrator at Northminster Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati, OH.
Arlene was a disciple of Jesus devoted to the study of the Bible and Christian service. She was a member of the Board of Trustees of Latin America Mission and of Christian Inn Ministries, a residential ministry to previously incarcerated women in Cincinnati, OH. She did mission work in Mexico, Croatia, Columbia and Costa Rica. She opened her home to and assisted dozens of foreign students over the years. After her retirement she cared for the elderly ladies of Covenant-First Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati.
Arlene had a lifelong interest in art. She never formally studied art, but taught herself through art clubs, informal classes and online lessons. She was particularly interested in watercolors. She often collaborated with her grandson Wyatt, who seems to have inherited her skills.
Arlene lived in Cokato, MN; Wheaton, IL; Cambridge, MA; Marblehead, MA; Putnam Valley, NY; Golden, NM; Rosslyn, VA; Cincinnati, OH; Beijing, China and Grand Junction, CO. She traveled extensively, including England, Germany, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, France, China, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Romania, Russia, Estonia, Israel, Egypt, Columbia, Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica, Japan, Slovenia, Croatia, Singapore and Thailand.
Arlene’s final years in Grand Junction were dedicated to her family. She cared for grandchildren, managed the household, ran errands, Ubered grandchildren to school, cooked, cleaned, and repaired anything broken, including broken hearts. As her energy began to wane, she trusted her favorite scripture:
“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:30
Even as her life was fading, she tried to spend at least an hour a day outside, maintaining landscaping and caring for her flock of chickens. In death, she was survived by a single chicken, her favorite, Little Red Hen, and her affectionate cat, Biscuit.
You can also donate by mail. Send a check to:
HopeWest
3090 N. 12th Street
Grand Junction, CO 81506