Arlene Ann Rieder, 91, of Cando, ND passed away Tuesday, December 24, 2024 at the Towner County Living Center in Cando. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM Saturday, January 18, 2025 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Cando with Fr. Daniel Musgrave celebrating.  Visitation will take place from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with Rosary beginning at 6:30 PM followed by 7:00 PM Vigil Service Friday, January 17, 2025 at the Dunnigan-Dix Funeral Home.  Burial will take place at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Cando at a later date.

Arlene Ann Hoeltl was born on her parents farm east of Cando, on August 6, 1933 to Matthias and Melba (Arthur) Hoeltl.  She completed their family as her older brother, Johnny, was born a year earlier.  Arlene was of German descent but was also very proud of her Welsh heritage passed to her by her grandfather, John Arthur.

Arlene attended Metcalf Country School and then Cando Public School, graduating in the Class of 1951.  She then attended NDSSS, Wahpeton, and became a Linotypist.  After college Arlene was hired by Blanche and Pete Dennison and worked at the Record Herald.  During this time, she met Terence Rieder.  They were married on August 4, 1956.  A few years later, in 1958, Arlene's father, Matt passed away.  Arlene and Terence then purchased the farm from her mother, Melba, and made their home three miles west of Cando.  They remained at the farm for the rest of their lives.  Arlene kept very busy raising her eight children and occasionally assisting Terence with farm work.  She also worked for ten years at Rest Haven as a cook.

Arlene was an avid reader and enjoyed reading the newspapers such as the Record Herald and the Devils Lake Journal, from front to back.  She also loved books and read countless amounts of them.  Her favorite authors included Louis L' Amour, Betty Neels, and Louisa May Alcott.

Arlene always had a love of animals.  When she was young, she had a Shetland pony named "Bonnie". All through her life she was very excited to see wild animals such as partridge, pheasants, rabbits and her favorite, whitetail deer.  She and Terence spent many hours watching the deer eat and congregate in the yard in the winter.  She was also an avid bird watcher. Each year she documented as many different birds as she could identify.

Arlene was active in many groups through the years, such as the American Legion Auxiliary, Hospital Auxiliary and many others. She cherished the many friendships she made along the way.

Arlene also belonged to Sacred Heart Catholic Church and served on the Alter Society and Christian Mothers.  She passed away on Christmas Eve at Towner County Living Center, where she lived for the past five months.

She is survived by her children Teresa Mueller, Elk River, MN., Jolene (Larry) Hoffert, Cando, ND., Stephanie Smith (Friend Mark), Jamestown, ND., Gina(Doug) Beck, Cando, ND., Rebecca (Martin) Woodcock, Rochester, MN., Donavon (Robin) Rieder, Cando, ND., Gabrielle (David) Williams, Edmore, ND., Shannon Rieder (Tim Dorn), Oakdale, MN.
Mom always had a stash of candy which she liked to share with her grandchildren. Her grandchildren are: Jordan (Alex) Fargo, Justin (Shannon)Hoffert, Colin Hoffert (Catherine), Alexis (Simeon) Nelson, Brianne Smith, Jase (Amber) Beck, McKenzie (Tyson) Page, Logan Beck, Dominick (Sarah) Woodcock, Kasey Woodcock (Riley), Madisen Woodcock, Grant Woodcock, Lauren (Caleb) Beck, Nolan Rieder (Kendra), Mallory Rieder (Kaleb), Wyatt (Ashlee) Rieder, Dex Gibbs, Lily Dorn, Megan Dorn, Mia Dorn.  Arlene was blessed with twenty-four great grandchildren. Also survived by sisters in law, Mary (Harvey) Schumacher, Egeland, ND. Paula Davis, Grand Forks, ND. and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Arlene was preceded in death by her husband of nearly sixty-seven years, Terence, her parents, Matthias and Melba Hoeltl, her stepfather, John Norberg, brother Johnny, and niece and nephew, Jackie Spychalla, and Greg Hoeltl, her son in law, Jeff Mueller, her in laws, Frank and Mary Rieder, and brother and sister-in-law, Dan and Bea Rieder.