Arnell Christenson, age 97 of Foley passed away peacefully on November 3, 2021 at the St. Cloud Hospital.  Funeral Services will be 11:00 AM, Wednesday, November 10, 2021 at Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church in Foley.  Rev. Timothy Wittwer will officiate and burial will take place at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Foley.  Visitation will be from 9:30  to 11:00 AM at the church on Wednesday.  Service with Dignity provided by the Foley Funeral Home.

Arnell Mary Jane Oriet Christenson was born March 2, 1924 in Terrace, Minnesota to Olaus and Agnes (Hauge) Ringerud.  She attended rural grade school for 8 years and graduated from Glenwood High School and continued her education for one year at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.  She achieved her nursing degree from Eitel School of Nursing in Minneapolis. She was proud to be an Army Nurse Cadet.  She married Les Christenson on October 6, 1945 at Chippewa Falls Lutheran Church in Terrace.  The couple moved to Foley in 1963.  Arnell worked as a registered nurse for 43 years.  She was instrumental in opening the Foley Nursing Center in 1971 and acted as the assistant director of nursing for the Foley Nursing Center for many years. Arnell was a long time member of Gustavus Adolpus Lutheran Church. She enjoyed golfing up until the age of 85, avid bridge player with special friends till covid hit, loved music, was proud of her Norwegian heritage and traveled extensively.  She was an inspiration to those that met her and was full of wisdom and grace.  Her warmth and smile will be missed by anyone who knew her.  Arnell's wishes were that memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers to be used for a nursing scholarship at the Foley High School.

She is survived by her daughters: Linda (Joe) Chmielewski, Brainerd; Anita (Mark )Bauerly, Sauk Rapids and Christine (Mike) Scott, Circle Pines as well as 10 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren and a sister, Orlean Ray, Sacramento, CA., brother-in-laws; Herman Talle and Rolf Mohwinkel.  She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Les, infant sister, Marie, brother-in-laws, Bud Christenson and Ted Ray and sister-in-laws; Dodie Talle,  Lavine 'Babe' Mohwinkel and Thelma Christenson.