Arlene L. Peterson, 86, formerly of Verona, ND, passed away June 25, 2013 at the Oakes Good Samaritan Society. Arlene Louise Weinandt, daughter of Leo and Elizabeth (Brockling) Weinandt was born July 17, 1926 in Lakefield, MN. She grew up on their 80 acre farm with her four sisters and graduated from Okabena High School in 1943. She worked at a bank in Minneapolis for a short time until her parents purchased a farm near Verona, ND in 1945. She and her sisters worked hard helping her parents move their farming business there. Arlene began working as a telephone operator in Oakes. She met her future husband, Clifford Peterson from Verona, at a dance. They were married on November 5, 1949 at St. Raphael's Catholic Church, Verona. It was a double ceremony alongside her youngest sister, Ruth and her husband Bob Gaughan. Clifford and Arlene had five sons and five daughters all of whom together were the pride of the farm, caring for animals, fulfilling household chores and harvesting crops. Arlene's beloved husband, Clifford, passed away January 25, 1996 after 46 years of marriage.