Arlene Wilkison was born on October 25, 1932, in Slayton, Minnesota to Frederick and Twylah Olson Dorpinghaus. She grew up in the Fulda, MN area and graduated from Fulda High School. On December 22, 1952, she and Roger Wilkison were married at St. Gabriel’s Church in Fulda. Following their marriage, they made their home southwest Minnesota and raised their four children. After retirement they made their home in Arizona and later South Dakota before returning to Minnesota. Roger passed away on February 21, 2022. In July 2026 Arlene moved to Maple Lawn Senior Care. She passed away there on Monday, October 5, 2026, at the age of 93. Over the years Arlene was a member of St. Ann’s Church in Slayton, St. Anthony’s Church in Westbrook, MN, IHM Church in Currie, MN, and St. Gabriel’s Church in Fulda. She enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren and their families and campfires. Genealogy was a big part of Arlene’s life she loved preserving memories’ and keeping up to date on her family tree albums. Survivors include her four children and their spouses, Donna and Kevin Erbes of Tracy, MN, Richard Wilkison and Ann Kirlin of Avoca, MN, Steven and Dorothy Wilkison, of Hill City, SD, and Mark and Julie Wilkison of Mesa, AZ, eleven grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, six great-greatgrandchildren and three siblings and their spouses, Ilene and David Stumm, Karen Lund and Delano and Renee Dorpinghaus all of Fulda, MN. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Roger, one brother-in-law, Lavoy Lund and one sister-in-law, Nancy Bauer. Funeral Services were at St. Gabriel’s Church in Fulda, MN on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. with Fr. Peter Schuster officiating. The organist was Sharon Lais. The song leader was Sheila Crowley. The pallbearers were her grandchildren. Interment was at Calvary Cemetery in Currie, MN.
Visitation was at the Totzke Funeral Home in Slayton on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, from 4-6 p.m. and one hour prior to the services at the church on Thursday. To send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome. com
