Arletta Rupp, 101

Arletta Apollonia Rupp, age 101, died Thursday, Sept. 6, at her daughter’s home in Wacouta Township.

Arletta Apollonia Rupp was born Aug. 21, 1911, the daughter of Reverend and Mrs. Henry Jacob (Edna Hummel) Soltau in the parsonage of the Methodist Church, Grove Lake, Minn. She attended schools in Otsego and Brooklyn Center and graduated from North High School in Minneapolis. After graduating from St. Cloud Teacher’s College, she taught fifth grade for 4 years in Osseo, Minn. She married Victor H. Rupp on June 6, 1935, in Brooklyn Center, in a ceremony officiated by her father, Rev. Henry J. Soltau. They lived in Windom, Cokato, Bricelyn, and then settled in Caledonia, Minn., in 1951, where Victor had his career as principal and school superintendent. After retirement, they enjoyed a 6-month freighter trip around the world, and in 1965, they went on an African Trophy Safari trip. Victor passed to his eternal home Oct. 7, 1978.

Arletta was very involved in her church and community. She was the organist at her Caledonia Methodist Church for 48 years. She was a 40-year member of the Caledonia Study Club and was honored as one of the two Houston County Senior Citizens selected in 1987. She gave tours and talks about her African safari to all the fourth graders in Caledonia each year for 30 years. Arletta also traveled to see her missionary sons in Japan and Africa and visited the Holy Land. In 2004, she moved from her home in Caledonia to a senior center near her sister for three years. For the last 5 years, she has lived in Red Wing with her daughter, Sue. She rotated visits often to her other children.

Survivors include her children, Reverend David (Ellen) Rupp of Webster, N.Y., Suzanne Milbright of Red Wing, Sylvia (Reverend David) Lightner of Windom, Minn., and Dr. Henry J. (Sandy) Rupp of Shoreview, Minn.; 14 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Shirley Mogck.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, Victor Rupp; one sister, Reverend Ione Soltau; and one son-in-law, Arny Milbright.

Funeral will be at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11, at First Covenant Church in Red Wing. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. until the time of the service at the church.

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