Arlene Diane (Olson) Gleason, 87, of Owatonna, ended her battle with Acute Leukemia peacefully at her home surrounded by family on June 5, 2026, in Owatonna, MN.

She was born on March 1, 1939, in Tracy, MN, to Gilbert and Elvina (Holten) Olson. She graduated from Tracy High School in 1957, and started her accounting career at Tri-County Oil Association shortly thereafter. She was an active member at the Tracy Lutheran Zion Church.

On February 23, 1958, she married Raymond Gleason at the Zion Lutheran Church in Tracy, MN. The couple made their first home in Owatonna, MN, and Arlene began employment in the accounts receivable department at Jostens. In 1961, the couple purchased Ray’s father's automotive business, Gleason’s Automotive, in Currie, MN, and relocated to operate it until 1981. There, Arlene did bookwork for the business with its many sidelines which included Minneapolis Star Tribune paper relay routes throughout southern Minnesota and South Dakota. In 1968, Arlene and Ray had the vision to build a convenience store, “The Gateway House,” which she operated at the entrance to Lake Shetek State Park, near Currie, MN.

When the couple relocated to Owatonna in 1981, Arlene returned to Jostens, working her way up to payroll manager. In 2008, after over 30 years, she retired to enjoy her hobbies of gardening, playing cards and games, doing crossword puzzles, delivering meals on wheels, playing in the church bell choir, working at blood drives, and voraciously reading. She volunteered for 25 years as the Steele County Fair Fine Arts superintendent and sang for many years with the Golden Tones. In her free time, she created custom creations and alterations of wedding and prom attire, made covers for furniture, pianos, and window treatments, fixed unlimited zippers, hems, and sleeves, and created christening gowns from wedding dresses. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.

Arlene is survived by her children, Ken (Karen) Gleason of Owatonna, Jerilyn (Monte) Nelson of Apple Valley, MN, Nancy (Marshall) Johnson of Minnetonka, and Kyle (Mandy) Gleason of St. Paul; twelve grandchildren, Dena (Josh Newell) Gleason, Amy (Chris) Tacheny, Martin Gleason, Maureen Gleason, Justina (Neil) Knutson, Nathan Nelson, Alex Nelson, Adam (Amy) Hollerud, Julia (Christian) Toney, Michael Johnson, Charlotte Gleason, and Walter Gleason; great-grandchildren, Andrew and Noah Tacheny; sisters, Lorraine (Clifton) Frisvold and Constance “Connie” (Tom) Harnack. She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Gleason; parents; brother, Howard Olson; sister, Naomi (Hubert) Jansen; and grandchild, Andrew Gleason.

A funeral service will be held at 11 am on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at Associated Church in Owatonna. A visitation will be held from 10 am until the time of service with a reception to follow. Interment will be held at Forest Hill Cemetery in Owatonna.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Associated Church of Owatonna.