Arlen Dale Krinke

Arlen Dale Krinke

Arlen Dale Krinke, 80, of Long Lake, Minnesota, formerly of Elk River, MN was called to his eternal home on June 16, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of faith, family, education, and service.

Visitation will be held from 4-7PM on June 30th at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 5005 Northwest Blvd, Plymouth, MN. A funeral service will be held at Beautiful Savior at 10:30AM on July 1st with visitation one hour prior to the service. Following the service, a luncheon will be held at the church, and burial at Oakwood Cemetery in Mora, MN at 2:45PM.

Arlen was born on May 14, 1946, in Mora, Minnesota, to Victor and Mary Krinke. He grew up on the family dairy farm, alongside his identical twin brother, Arden "Ardy" Krinke, who was not only his brother but his lifelong best friend. They were the youngest of six children and the second set of twins in their family. His early education took place at Whittier Country School, a one-room schoolhouse that bordered the family farm, and continued at the Mora public schools, where he fell in love with his childhood friend, Madelyn. Their friendship grew into a partnership that would span six decades.

On February 25, 1966, Arlen and Madelyn were married, beginning a journey marked by unwavering devotion, shared faith, and deep love. They welcomed their first daughter, Beth while living in St Paul. After graduating from Concordia College in St. Paul in 1968, Arlen accepted his first call to St. John Lutheran School in Ionia, Michigan. There, he began the work that would define much of his life's calling-Christian education. During their years in Michigan, Arlen and Madelyn welcomed daughters Teresa and Anita and formed many treasured friendships and memories.

In 1974, Arlen accepted a call as the principal at St John Lutheran School in Elk River, MN; the same town where brother Ardy had settled in as the town barber. During these years, daughters Kathryn and Deborah completed the family of five daughters. Although Arlen often suggested that "just one more" would be a boy, he would have to wait for his girls to bring those boys into the family. He would later be blessed by the gradual arrival of five sons-in-law, whom he welcomed and loved as his own.

Throughout his 40-year career in Lutheran education, Arlen influenced the lives of countless students and families, as he faithfully served as teacher, coach, mentor, and principal until his retirement in 2008. He was passionate about sharing the gospel through education, whether in the classroom, the chapel, on the stage or athletic field; he encouraged students to discover their talents, strengthen their faith, and strive for excellence.

Arlen was a soft-spoken, compassionate, and remarkably patient man. His quiet nature often concealed his keen sense of humor; if you weren't paying attention, you might miss the perfectly timed joke slipped into a conversation without breaking his gentle demeanor.

He never lost his affection for farming, maintaining his enormous garden in Elk River that produced enough vegetables to feed many. In retirement, he frequently suggested to Madelyn that they should buy a farm and return to the life he had loved as a boy.

In his retirement years, Arlen looked forward to attending grandkids activities, family events, holidays and celebrating the many milestones. He was passionate about teaching grandkids how to play cribbage and treating them to ice cream. He took immense pride in his family and delighted in every opportunity to share time, stories, laughter and love with them.

Arlen's life was defined by faithful service, quiet strength, humility, and love. His influence lives on through the countless students he taught, the family he nurtured, and the many lives he touched through his example of Christian faith and servant leadership.

Arlen is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Madelyn; his daughters and sons-in-law, Beth and Rich Kelly of Monticello; Teresa and Wensley Herbert of Bloomington, Illinois; Anita and Ross Gramstad of Elk River; Kathryn and Ryan Flom of Minnetrista; and Deborah and Michael Heppner of Plainview; his grandchildren, Mary (Jake) Bauer, William Kelly, Charlotte Kelly, Vivi Kelly, Claire Herbert, Cameron Herbert, Connor Herbert, Ally (Tyler) Johnson, Katelyn Gramstad, Anders Flom, Erik Flom, Jonah Heppner, Julian Heppner, and Liam Heppner; and his great-grandchildren, Peter, Iris, and Joseph Bauer.

He is also survived by his sisters, Kathy (Dave) Fulkerson and Janelle Evenson; sisters-in-law, Carol Krinke, Jane Backlund, and Ann Burmeister; brother-in-law, Gary (Sandy) Berulson; and many nieces, nephews, former students, colleagues, and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Mary Krinke; his father- and mother-in-law, Melvin and Alice Berulson; his siblings and in-laws, Dean and Karen Krinke, Gene and Joan Krinke, David Evenson, identical twin brother and lifelong best friend, Arden "Ardy" Krinke and his beloved grandson, Andrew Gramstad.

"Well done, good and faithful servant." Matthew 25:23 In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to be made to Concordia University, St Paul or the University of Minnesota Leukemia and Lymphoma Research Fund , or a benefactor of the donor's choice.