Arlene Ruth Tousley

Arlene Ruth Tousley, 90, of Rochester, MN, passed away on December 8, 2025.

Arlene was born in McIntosh, SD on August 21, 1935, to Paul and Mary Hinderer. She grew up on a rural family farm south of Elgin, North Dakota. Arlene was one of six children. She graduated from Elgin High School and then went on to Nursing School at Bismark Hospital, School of Nursing, graduating in1956. Arlene married Clark Tousley on June 2, 1958, in Elgin, ND. Arlene and Clark then moved to Scobey, MT and together they raised two children, Bryan and Gerald.

Arlene lived in Scobey, MT for many years. After her boys left for college, she and Clark lived in a number of places. They lived in Carson, ND, Kadoka, SD and Hurley, SD. While living in Hurley, SD, Arlene worked at Pioneer Inn Assisted Living in Viborg, SD for many years. She loved working there and taking care of the elderly. After Clark passed away, she moved to Rochester, MN and lived at Shorewood Senior Center until her death.

Arlene enjoyed a wide range of activities, including participating in church activities, cooking and gardening. Arlene loved making caramel rolls for her children and grandchildren. This was a special recipe that was passed down by her mother. She enjoyed spending time with her family and especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Arlene always loved making her way back to the family farm and spending time with her family there. In her later years, she loved talking to her sons and siblings and having long telephone calls with them.

Arlene is survived by her two sons, Bryan (Maureen) Tousley, Rochester, MN, and Gerald (Amy) Tousley, Olympia WA; four grandchildren, Melissa (Nate) Ryan, Edina, MN, Michael (Emily) Tousley, Inver Grove Heights, MN, Jon Tousley, Denver Colorado, and Brittainy (Michael) Pond, Olympia, WA; five great grandchildren Thomas, Theodore and Jack Ryan, Edina, MN, and Kieran and Lila Pond, Olympia WA; her brothers and sisters, Helen Gregory (Lemmon, SD), Larry Hinderer, Elgin, SD, Ernie (Hilda) Hinderer, Flasher, SD, and Brenda (John) Merriman, Lemmon, SD. Arlene was preceded in death by her husband, Clark, and sister, Vi Baye.

A memorial service for Arlene will be held in the Spring of 2026.