Arlene Rae King — Stewartville

Arlene Rae King, 83, died peacefully on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 2012, surrounded by her husband, Richard and all 10 of her loving children and many grandchildren. Mrs. King died following a sudden illness, at Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester, where she had been a patient since Saturday.

Arlene was born Jan. 11, 1929, to Leslie and Grace (Gessner) Judkins in Hugo. She grew up on the family farm, attended rural school and graduated from Forest Lake High School in 1941. The pretty redhead caught the eye of a young man named Richard King at a bus stop, and had no idea saying yes to a date, would eventually lead to having six boys, four girls, 20 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Arlene and Richard King were married Nov. 19, 1949, in the town of Hugo. They bought their first home in White Bear Lake, before moving to Stewartville, in 1962, where they raised their family and have made their home for 50 years. Arlene was a homemaker and Richard was co-owner and president of Gladwin Machinery and Supply Company in Minneapolis when he retired in 1991.

Arlene was a longtime member of St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Stewartville, including serving as a treasurer and loved being a reliable mother to her not always grateful enough 10 children. She also enjoyed difficult puzzles, gardening, card games and hosting large family gatherings---both at home and at the summer cabin --- where her ability to cook was legendary.

Arlene is survived by her husband, Richard; her children, Christine King of Woodbury, Cynthia Hudson of Rochester, Randall King of LaPorte, Debra Kelly of Maple Grove, Nanette (Matt) Warren of Corcoran, Brad (Julie) King of Stewartville, Todd (Michelle) King, of Orono, Jeffrey (Lauren) King of Cary, N.C., Kevin (Shelby) King of Hartland, Wis., and Nathan King of Inver Grove Heights; 20 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; a brother, Alvin "Buzz" Judkins of Lakeville and a sister, Linda Langston of Divide, Colo.

A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 29, at St. Bernards Catholic Church in Stewartville, with Fr. Matt Fasnacht officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.

Friends may call from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec 28, at St. Bernards Catholic Church in Stewartville, where a prayer service will be held at 8 p.m. Visitation will continue one prior to the service at the church Saturday morning.

The family suggests memorials to Alzheimers Disease Research at Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville. www.griffin-gray.com