Arlene Marie Besemann

Arlene Marie (Dummer) Besemann Nov. 19, 1926 - March 30, 2025 Arlene Marie (Dummer) Besemann of Edina, Minn., beloved sister, aunt and friend, passed away peacefully on March 30, 2025. She was 98. Born on Nov. 19, 1926, in Fairfax, Minn., to Dr. William Martin Dummer and Stella Elizabeth Walser Dummer, Arlene was the fifth of eight children and the first daughter after four older brothers: Jerry, Stan, Bob, and Don. She was later joined by her younger siblings Ralph, Marge, and Tom. Arlene's father passed away in 1937, leaving her mother, Stella, to raise their large family during the Great Depression. Her ancestors were early settlers in the Minnesota River Valley, residing in West Newton Township near New Ulm, Minn. They passed down a legacy of hard work, perseverance, resilience and community involvement that continued throughout her lifetime. All six of Arlene's brothers served in the U.S. military during World War II and the Korean War, a point of great family pride. Arlene attended St. Andrew's Catholic School in Fairfax and graduated from Fairfax High School in 1944. Afterward, she moved to Minneapolis to attend the Minnesota School of Business. She graduated in 1945 and began her career as a secretary to the dean at Rochester Junior College. She later worked at the Minnesota School of Business, International Harvester, and for department store Young-Quinlan at its downtown Minneapolis executive office. In a bold move, Arlene left office work in 1950 to embark on an adventure with a friend, traveling to Glacier National Park and working for a short time at Many Glacier Hotel. Their subsequent travels took them through the western United States and Canada before she returned to Minneapolis to begin a successful career at the Pillsbury Company. There, she transitioned from secretarial work into human resources, ultimately becoming a compensation systems manager. She retired in 1986 after a 35-year career. In October 1960, Arlene married Herman A. "Tiny" Besemann. Though their marriage ended in divorce in 1971, Arlene built a full and independent life. Arlene was an avid traveler and kept detailed journals of her adventures across North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Her destinations included Montreal, Quebec, Hawaii, Mexico, Egypt, England, Holland, Switzerland, Belgium, Liechtenstein, Germany, Austria, Yugoslavia, Italy, France, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Bangladesh, Spain, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Ireland. Arlene was a member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha (ESA), a sorority focused on service projects; an ethnic dining club that reflected her curiosity about other cultures; and a longtime supporter of the Minnesota Orchestra and Twin Cities arts organizations. Above all, Arlene was a devoted and beloved aunt who inspired her many nieces and nephews with her sharp wit, values, adventurous spirit and generosity. She is preceded in death by her parents, brothers and sister. Visitation is 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, at the Church of St. Edward, 9401 Nesbitt Ave. S., Bloomington, Minn., followed by an 11 a.m. funeral Mass. Lunch will be provided following the service. The service will be livestreamed at stedwardschurch.org/funerals. Memorials are preferred to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. A private burial will be held at St. George Cemetery in St. George, Minn. www.Washburn-McReavy.com Edina Chapel 952-920-3996

Tributes

Arlene Marie Besemann

November 19, 1926 - March 30, 2025

Tributes

Arlene Marie Besemann

November 19, 1926 - March 30, 2025

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