Arletta Derby

Arletta Derby was born June 13, 1934 to Delmont and Glyda (Markee) Chamberlain in Rochester, Minnesota. She attended a one room country school, Hillside Elementary School, District #143; graduated from Rochester High School in 1952. After high school she worked in Minneapolis at an insurance company, then in Rochester at Clements Chevrolet.

On May 15, 1954 she married Rolland Derby at Cresco, Iowa First Lutheran Church. They raised three daughters, Susanne, Lynne and Julie.

In 1968 she started work at IBM in the cafeteria and later in Engineering Records, enjoying talking to people all over the world by phone. She retired in 1987.

Arletta loved water skiing on the Mississippi River between Lake Pepin and south of Wabasha. She probably coached more than a few dozen new skiers to get up and stay up! She loved golf, bowling, photography, flower gardening, and was a curious world traveler. She could often advise a traveler on the best 2 lane roads around the USA for scenic enjoyment and avoiding traffic. She was a lover of Cats, welcoming them as they adopted her and Rolland. Babe, Bird, Whitey, Pumpkin, Ma-ma, Li'l Dar, Ol Yeller all from the neighborhood or a local golf course. Three cats were traveling companions in new (old) campers.

Arletta recognized our Canadian geese were domesticated by the warm water generated by the coal plant at Silver Lake and found great joy in sharing good food with them. She spent many hours meditating, watching deer, birds, squirrels.

Arletta loved being a friend of Bill W.!

Arletta is survived by her husband Rolland (Derby), daughters Susanne in Rochester, Lynne in Tamarack, Mn., Julie in South Minneapolis, her brother-in-law, Wendell Jahnke, sister Joyce (George) Nickles, brother Larry (Christine) Chamberlain, sister and brother in laws, Shari and Steve Brumm, nieces and nephews around the country and 3 generations of Goodnature Friends.

She is preceded in by death by Parents, Sister, Lois Jahnke, Brother, Delmont (Junior) Chamberlain and many precious friends.

Her Celebration of Life will be on Saturday, March 16, 2024 from 12 pm noon until 3pm with a program beginning at 12:45 at Ranfranz and Vine Rememberance and Reception Center, 5482 Royal Place NW, Rochester, Minnesota 55901, 507-289-3600.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Derby family. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.