Arlen Donovan Bexell

Arlen Donovan Bexell, age 84 of Hibbing, passed away Friday, June 14, 2019 at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Duluth, MN. He was born December 22, 1934 in Clearwater County, Minnesota, the youngest son of John and Alma (Gustaffson) Bexell; and married Elaine Nelson on December 31, 1955.

          They lived in Clearbrook and Fosston MN, prior to moving to Hibbing in 1976. He was employed by the Hunt (Simplot) Potato plant in Fosston and later was employed as a maintenance mechanic for Hibbing Taconite, retiring in 1999. Arlen was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Hibbing and the USW Local 2705. He enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, gardening, birding, classic cars, and could fix almost anything. Arlen enjoyed making salsa and lefse, eating pickled herring, lutefisk, smoked salmon, pickled pig’s feet and he had a sweet tooth. He cherished spending time with his family, whom he loved so much.

          Arlen is survived by his wife of 63 years: Elaine; children: Lois (Ralph) Berglund of Moorhead, Rick (Sharon) Bexell of Owatonna, Alan (Julie) Bexell of Hibbing, Sherry (Steve) Strand of Stillwater, Wade (Julie) Bexell of Hibbing, and Keith (Rebecca) Bexell of Ham Lake; grandchildren: Nick (Randi) Berglund, Chris Berglund, Brock Bexell, Kaitlin Bexell, Ethan Bexell, Stephanie (David) Kalliman, Ryan Strand, Nicole Strand, Lexi Bexell, Gavin Bexell, MaKayla Bexell, Suzie Bexell, Jack Bexell, Anders Gilbertson, and Trygg Gilbertson; great-grandchildren: Lauren and Wyatt Berglund; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

          He was preceded in death by his parents and nine siblings.

          The memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, June 20, 2019 at the Anderson-Daniels Funeral Home Chapel in Hibbing. Pastor Kevin Olson will officiate. A gathering time for family and friends will begin one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will take place in the Hibbing Park – Maple Hill Cemetery.

          Memorials are the preferred way to honor Arlen’s memory, and may be made to the donor’s choice.

          Family services provided by Anderson-Daniels, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Hibbing. To share condolences online, please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com.