Arlene Eleanor Cherney

Funeral services for Arlene E. Cherney, age 92, of Myrtle, will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 7, 2019 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church.  Chaplain Todd Walsh will officiate. Interment will be at Bohemian National Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 6 at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Arlene died Thursday, February 28, 2019 at Thorne Crest Senior Living Community.

Arlene Eleanor Cherney was born on December 7, 1926 in Albert Lea, Minnesota, the daughter of Ray and Edna (Golnick) Machacek. She grew up in Myrtle and attended school in Myrtle and Albert Lea before graduating from Austin High School in 1944.  On October 19, 1947, Arlene was united in marriage to Richard Cherney in Albert Lea.  Arlene was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church.  She was also a member of Myrtle Mothers Club, Myrtle Museum, American Legion Auxiliary, Martha Circle, Myrtle Women’s Card Club, and London Card Club. Arlene enjoyed crafting, including basket weaving, beadwork, knitting, crocheting, and rug making. She knitted many baby caps for the hospital.  She volunteered with the county census and regularly served as an election judge.  Arlene also liked reading, watching the Twins, and spending time with her angels (her grandchildren).  For 16 years, she spent winters in Mesa, AZ. 

Arlene is survived by her daughters, Susan Cherney, Nancy (David) Decker, Joanne (Doug) Tunnyhill, Karen (Paul) Hansen, and Sarah (Jim Matteson) Cherney; grandchildren, Veronica Wallen, Gretchen Pike, Matthew (Sarah) Decker, Scott Decker, Johnna Tunnyhill, Hannah Tunnyhill, Kate Brossard, Jacob (Jasmine) Hansen, Ellen (Rustin) Reys, Peter Hansen, Emma Cherney, Joseph Matteson, and Madeline Cherney; 13 great-grandchildren; sister, Caroline (Bill) O’Connell; and brother, Bob (Katy) Machacek.

Arlene was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; parents, Ray and Edna; daughter, Elaine Wallen; grandchildren, Theresa Wallen and Kyle Decker; sisters, Maxine Krecker, Mary Ann Yerigan, Betty Jean Raskin, and Alice Rae Gleason; and brother, Richard Machacek.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Friends of the Bohemian Brick Hall, or donor’s choice.