Arlene Foner

Arlene Foner of Maplewood, MN passed away after a brief illness on April 4, 2023. Her heart was ready to go to her eternal home.

Arlene Lois Crosby was born in Vestaburg, Michigan on March 11, 1933 to Elmer Lawrence and Emily Elizabeth Crosby. She grew up in Michigan, raised by her mother and step-father, Fred Keeler, and with an older brother and two younger sisters. After school, she worked for a time as a nursing aide.

While visiting her sister in San Antonio, TX in 1958, Arlene met David Isaac Foner at a church meeting. They married soon after and began their life together in Stuttgart, Germany, where David was serving in the Army. They enjoyed living abroad and always spoke fondly of that time in their lives. They explored the region and welcomed their first daughter, Sharon, while in Germany. They returned to the U.S. in 1960 and settled near David's family in Minnesota, where they had four more children. In 1968, they moved to a beautiful property in Afton, which was their home until 2019, when they moved together to Ecumen Lakeview Commons. They celebrated their 64th anniversary last year.

Arlene enjoyed simple pleasures-watching birds, word puzzles, music, red geraniums, a clean house, and being with her family. Throughout her life, she loved spending time with her family in Michigan and Ontario. Her annual trips brought her a lot of joy and she valued those connections. She was deeply committed to her faith. One of the highlights of her year was their annual church convention in Eagle Bend, MN. Dedicated to praying and reading from her bible daily, she wore out more than one bible in her lifetime.

Less than a month ago, family and friends gathered in honor of her 90th birthday. She enjoyed the celebration, and her loved ones are grateful to have celebrated that milestone with her.

Arlene is survived by her husband, David; children, Lois (Gregg) Swope of Stillwater, MN, Darlene Christoph of Austin, TX, Mark (Teresa) Foner of Beavercreek, OR, Allen (Kristin) Foner of Wayzata, MN; eleven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Emily Crosby-Keeler; step-father, Fred Keeler; brother, Buell Crosby; sister, Ruth Anderson; daughter, Sharon Elizabeth Foner; and granddaughter, Karly Elizabeth Wahlin.

Private Interment at Fort Snelling
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