Arlene Helen Gran

Arlene Helen (Lang) Gran, 78, of Fargo, ND, passed away on Saturday, November 16, 2019, in Eventide, Moorhead, MN.

Arlene Gran was born January 19th, 1941 in Bismarck, ND to Theodore A. Lang and Helen W. Lang, who were lifetime residents of Sterling, ND.

She grew up on a family farm in Sterling, ND as the oldest of four children, where she always had so many fond memories.  She received her primary education in Sterling and graduated from Bismarck High School in 1958.  She then received her Bachelor of Science degree from Jamestown College in 1962 and a Master of Science Degree in Biochemistry from the University Of North Dakota in 1964.  The picture of her used with this obituary is from 1963 when she was at UND and is a family favorite.

She was employed by the University of Minnesota from August 1964 to June 1966.  She worked as a tutor and substitute teacher in Rochester, MN from 1969-1971.

Arlene married Dr. Gary E. Gran on June 18th, 1966, and their marriage produced two children.  During that time they lived in St. Paul, MN, Abilene, TX, Rochester, MN, Indianapolis, IN, Fargo, ND, Missoula, MT, and Detroit Lakes, MN.  They were divorced on March 17th, 1997.  They were reunited as life partners a few years later and have both lived together in Fargo, ND up until her death.  Through all of their difficulties, they had been together for over 50 years and were always meant to be together.

Throughout the years, she was proud of her many community, political, and bridge involvements, and family and friend commitments.  In Fargo, she was chairman of the new District 51 Republicans in 1982, she worked with the Dakota Hospital Auxiliary in the late 1970’s and early 80’s and was leader in the Fine Arts Club during the same period.  In Missoula, MT she supported her children’s high school activities and was proud to see both Michelle and Chris march in The Rose Bowl Parade as part of her efforts.  She was also heavily involved in the Republican Party’s activities in Missoula, MT, and attended the 1988 Republican National Convention as an alternative delegate, along with her daughter, Michelle.

Since moving back to Fargo in March 1997, Arlene has been a bit more uninvolved in the community, but instead enjoying her favorite pastimes of bridge, bowling, gardening, travel, her computer, collecting Rosemeade, engaging in ND history forums, researching family history, cataloguing old pictures, homemaking, and more connection with friends, family, children, and grandchildren.  She has always been a huge animal lover and gave a loving home to various cats and dogs throughout the years, the latest being her beloved cat Harriet.

As she aged and her health began to decline, she was able to stay in her home with the help of her home health aides who became part of the family.  She taught them many things and they took great care of her and Gary so they could stay in their home in Fargo.

She is survived by her children, Michelle (Corrie) Haux of Bloomington, MN, her son Christopher (finance Crystal Kluge) of Minneapolis, MN, Michelle’s children Alayna and Gregory Kohler, Chris’s step daughters Adrienne and Sophie, her sisters Kay (Gene) Brandner of Linton, ND, Sandi (Joe) Frenzel of Dickinson, ND, and David (Sharon) Lang of Sterling, ND.  Also surviving is her lifetime partner, Dr. Gary E. Gran of Fargo, ND, and she had been blessed with many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

She was proceeded in death by her cherished parents, Theodore A. Lang and Helen W. Lang, her nephew, Eric Hendrickson, her son-in-law, Gregory J. Kohler, and her grandparents.

Arlene requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be sent to The American Cancer Society, The American Heart Association, any Hospice organization, Anne Carlson School, American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Jamestown College, University Of North Dakota, veterans groups, or the Sterling Methodist Church.

Her wish was not to have a funeral, but to have her family spread her ashes on the pastureland she grew up on and lay her to rest with her parents in the Sterling, ND cemetery.  Due to the time of the year, this will be done next Spring/Summer.

If you would like to send condolences to her family:

Gary Gran:  200 Prairiewood Drive, Fargo, ND 58103

Michelle K. Haux:  4000 Pebblebrook Drive, Bloomington, MN 55437

Chris Gran: 25 50th Street E, Minneapolis, MN 55403