Arlen E. Anderson

Arlen Elwood Anderson, a cherished husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on August 16, 2024, in Brooten, Minnesota, at the age of 64. A memorial service celebrating Arlen will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, August 28th at Big Grove Lutheran Church in rural Brooten. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will be in the church cemetery. Arrangements are with the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home. 

Arlen was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, on March 13, 1960, to Allen and Marian (Haug) Anderson, Arlen was the loving elder brother to his sister Carolyn. His early years were spent in the close-knit communities of Brooten and Belgrade, where he formed lifelong friendships and developed the values that would guide him throughout his life.

On November 14, 1981, Arlen married the love of his life, Tamera Lea Green, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Together, they embarked on a journey filled with love, laughter, and adventure.

Arlen's academic journey concluded with his graduation from Belgrade High School in 1978, after which he embarked on a diverse and fulfilling career. He began driving an LP truck and later worked in a funeral home before discovering his true calling as a long-haul trucker. Arlen's love for the open road was evident in his dedication to his career, which spanned several decades and countless miles across the United States. His trucking career started at Mel Roth Oil in Hazen, North Dakota, where he spent eight years before returning to Minnesota. Arlen's entrepreneurial spirit led him to purchase his own truck, and he created his own company KMA Express (Kristen, Michelle, Aaron) and drove independently. Several years later he started working for Blair Farms in Glenwood, where he transported cattle nationwide. He continued to work until his retirement and even in retirement, he remained active, a testament to his unwavering work ethic.

Arlen's interests went beyond his professional life. He was an outdoorsman with a deep love for the mountains. His family fondly remembers the annual trips to West Yellowstone, where they would go snowmobiling to ring in the New Year. Arlen's adventurous spirit was matched only by his love for his family, and he and Tamie made it their mission to create a warm and loving home for their children in Starbuck, Minnesota. They enjoyed wintering in Yuma, Arizona, for five years before ultimately returning to Brooten, where Arlen spent his final days.

Arlen's presence was a beacon of strength and generosity. He was known for his willingness to help others, often going out of his way to support friends and strangers alike. His legacy is one of love, commitment, and the joy of life's journey. His family was the pride and joy of his life, and he cherished every moment spent with them, especially his grandsons.

Arlen is survived by his wife Tamera Anderson; his children Kristen, Michelle, and Aaron (Tanya) Anderson; his father Allen Anderson; his grandchildren: Riley, Colton, Andrew, Aiden, Asher, Trayton, and Colter; his sister Carolyn Pelkey; his nieces, Justine and Andrea Pelkey and nephew Charlie Pelkey; his brothers-in-law Jeff and Chris Greene; and numerous other relatives and cherished friends.

He was preceded in death by his beloved mother Marian, his grandparents Christine and Selmer Anderson, Thorsten and Marie Haug, and his precious granddaughter Elianna Marie and special grand dog, Shelby.

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