Arlys Jean Wanstrom OBIT

ARLYS JEAN WANSTROM, 81, of Aitkin,  passed away Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022 at Aitkin Health Services.  She was born Nov. 27, 1940 in Wheaton to Edwin and Alpha (Kreuger) Fromm.  She graduated from Gibbon High School and earned her Masters Degree from Mankato State University.  Arlys was united in marriage to Oliver DeMar Wanstrom on May 25, 1962 in Gibbon.  She was a teacher and then counselor at St. Francis Public Schools prior to retirement.  During her career as a teacher she worked in Litchfield, Silver Bay, Osseo and St. Francis.     She loved to care for her horses and her other special pets.  She and DeMar enjoyed traveling around the world and lived in Austria for a time.  She volunteered at the Biosphere 2 in Tucson, AZ and Jaques Art Center in Aitkin. She was a member of the Deerwood Lions Club, the German Club, a former member of Zion Lutheran Church in Anoka, where she served on the church board for six years  and a member of Salem Lutheran Church in Deerwood.   Arlys is survived by her husband of 60 years DeMar Wanstrom of Aitkin; two daughters and son-in-law: Lynnae Wanstrom of Oro Valley, AZ and Karlyn (Kelly) Holm of Aitkin; four  grandchildren: Kaleb (Kami) Holm, Marja Holm (Jon), Emily (Jonas) Kyllonen and Justin (Adrienne) Holm; eight great-grandchildren: Demi, Josephine, Tessa, Margaret, Elsie, Eleanor, Weston and Aira; her dog Mac and many other special relatives and friends who mourn her passing. Services have been held. Memorials are preferred to Salem West ~ Salem Lutheran Church Giving Ministries, P.O.  Box 100, Deerwood, MN 56444.