Arlene Marie Anttila

Arlene Marie Anttila was born to Charles and Irma (Kraft) Sidlo on December 4, 1921 in Runeberg Township in Becker County, Minnesota. She was baptized in October, 1931 at Spruce Grove Lutheran Church. She was confirmed on October 10, 1937 at Bethany Lutheran Church of rural Menahga, Minnesota. Arlene was raised, attended grade school, and grew to womanhood in Becker County. She attended rural Midway School District #60 and graduated from Menahga High School in 1939. She continued her education in Normal Training in Iowa, at the University of Minnesota, at Bemidji State University and St. Cloud State University. She taught in elementary schools in Iowa, and in Minnesota at Sebeka, Wolf Lake, and Minneapolis from 1941 to 1970. She also was a substitute teacher in Menahga and at a Catholic School in Minneapolis. Arlene was united in marriage to Albert Anttila on December 22, 1945 at Grace Lutheran Church in Sebeka. They lived in Menahga and in 1963 they moved to Minneapolis and Robbinsdale. In July 1975 they moved to Twin Lakes near Menahga. She was an active member of First English Lutheran Church of Menahga where she served as president and secretary of one of First English’s circles, she quilted with the ladies, helped in giving fruit baskets at Christmas, attended Via de Cristo, was on the First English ALCW and WELCA Board serving as secretary, served as secretary of 28 churches in the conference. She also served on the church evangelism committee and the nominating committee for the conference. She taught Sunday School for 17 years. Arlene was a lifetime member the Menahga VFW Post 6206 Women’s Auxiliary, where she served as President for several years and served as Cancer Chairman, Heart Chairman, and Secretary. She was also a State Fire Warden for 38 years. Arlene loved embroidering, going to San Diego; Mesa, Arizona; working on jigsaw and crossword puzzles and jumble words, especially cryptoquips; playing cards and board games; and was an avid reader. She loved visiting with her students, guests, friends, and family, always praying for them; she greatly enjoyed baking bread, cookies, pies, cakes, and preparing all kinds of casseroles with vegetables from her garden. She enjoyed flower gardens and flowers from home, mowing the lawn and the smell of newly mown grass & hay. She loved feeding the hungry birds and watching the deer, the red and grey fox, raccoons, and squirrels romping and playing around in her yard. Arlene is survived by two brothers-in-law: Elvin Yrjo of Menahga, Minnesota and Roland Aho of Fergus Falls, Minnesota; one sister-in-law: Ardella Sidlo of Sebeka, Minnesota; along with many nieces & nephews and great nieces & nephews; and a host of friends. She was preceded in death by her parents: Charles and Irma; her husband: Albert Antilla; three sisters: Lucille Mattie, Beverly Yrjo, Joyce Aho; one brother: Myron Sidlo. Visitation will be 5-8 pm Thursday, February 13, 2014 at First English Lutheran Church in Menahga. Funeral Services will be held 11:00 AM Friday, February 14, 2014 at First English Lutheran Church in Menahga with Pastor Steven A. Bruer officiating and soloing “The Lord’s Prayer.” Mary Hanninen will serve as organist and soloist singing “In the Garden.” Active Casketbearers include Donald Yrjo, Daniel Yrjo, Timothy Petersen, Michael Aho, Patrick Aho, and William Horlitz. Honorary Pallbearers are the Quilting Ladies of First English and all of her nieces. Interment will be at Menahga City Cemetery.