Arlene Heldt

Arlene Heldt, 79, of Pequot Lakes, died Thursday, August 19, 2004 at Woodland Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd, reuniting forever with her husband Wayne Heldt, who died July 22, 2004. Memorial services for Arlene and Wayne will be Tuesday, August 24, 11 a.m., at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Nisswa, with Reverend Kurt Wied officiating. Inurnment will be at Minnesota State Veteran?s Cemetery in Camp Ripley, with Brainerd American Legion Post 255 providing military honors for Wayne. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenny Funeral Chapel of Baxter.
Wayne Ellis Heldt was born June 4, 1927 in Madison, MN, to William and Ellen (Ludvigson) Heldt. He grew up and attended school in the metro area. Following graduation he enlisted in the US Navy, where he served for two years. Arlene Edith Anderson was born July 30, 1925 in Minneapolis, to Ludvig and Anna (Johnson) Anderson. She moved with her family to Pequot Lakes as a child, and graduated from Pequot Lakes High School. Wayne and Arlene met in Minneapolis, where they were united in marriage July 19, 1946, following Wayne?s military discharge. They moved to San Diego, where they lived and raised their family. Wayne worked there as a police officer for 18 years. Following his medical retirement the couple returned to Minnesota, where Wayne worked at Lino Lakes Correctional Facility. They moved to the lakes area, where they owned and operated the Y Store in Merrifield from 1974-1977. After selling the store, Wayne sold real estate for awhile and then operated a lawn care business. Both were members of Lutheran Church of the Cross in Nisswa, where Arlene managed the food shelf for several years.

Wayne and Arlene are survived by their children, Stephanie (Bob) Marquardt, of Pequot Lakes, Steve (Nancy) Heldt, of San Diego, CA, and Craig (Mary) Heldt, of Clovis, NM; Wayne?s sister, Dell Arenz, of San Diego, CA; Arlene?s sisters, Shirley Wanchena, of Isanti, and Kathleen Berscheit, of Golden Valley; Arlene?s brother, Vic Anderson, of Delano; nine grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. Their parents preceded them in death.