Arlie Joyce (Oldewurtel) Muecke-Sellevold

In loving Memory of

Arlie Joyce Muecke-Sellevold

Arlie Muecke-Sellevold was born on February 13, 1929, on the family farm near Iona, Minnesota to Ernest and Margaret Schmidt Oldewurtel.  She grew up on the family farm and graduated from Slayton High School in 1947.  On August 16, 1949, she and James Gerber were married at Zion Lutheran Church in Iona.  Following their marriage, they made their home in Iona and then Slayton.  To this union, James and Julie were born.  On February 22, 1964, she and Russell Muecke were married and resided in Slayton.  To this union, Connie and Brett were born.  Russ passed away on February 22, 1985.  Following Russ’s death, Arlie was busy raising her family.  On August 16, 1992, she, and A. R. Sellevold were married in Slayton.  A. R. passed away on August 11, 2011.  In 2019, Arlie moved to Sunrise Terrace in Slayton.  In September 2022, she moved to Lindenwood Assisted Living in Slayton.  Arlie passed away on August 6, 2023, at the Murray County Medical Center in Slayton at the age of 94.  She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Slayton where she taught Sunday School and Release Time.  She was a member of the church’s Altar Society and LWML.  Arlie also enjoyed Birthday Club with her friends.  Before her marriage to Russ, she worked at the Selective Service Office, Slayton Drug and Slayton High School.  After marrying Russ, she became a homemaker.  She enjoyed being a homemaker, spending time with her family, enjoying her grandchildren, and keeping a journal of her daily activities.  She was kind to her children yet stern enough to be obeyed.  If you heard your middle name, it was time to pay close attention.  If you did not listen, you would find yourself tiptoeing across the room because she lifted you by your ear.  Her worldly advice was: “Stay busy enough so you don’t have time to be in the pool hall” and “Keep all four wheels on the pavement”. 

Survivors include her four children and their spouses, James and Sharon Gerber of Slayton, MN, Julie and Dennis Beers of Slayton, MN, Connie and Greg Scott of Chesapeake, VA, and Brett and Jennifer Muecke of Avoca, MN, 13 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, A. R.’s three children and their families, John and Barb Sellevold of Akeley, MN, Kristi and Marv Werner of Forest Lake, MN, Karla (deceased) and Leon Carlson of Garvin, MN, and Margaret and Johnny Gavaldon of Gallup, NM, one brother, Floyd Oldewurtel of Cave Creek, AZ, and one sister-in-law, Lois Oldewurtel of Slayton, MN.  She is preceded in death by her husbands, James Gerber, Russ Muecke, and A. R. Sellevold, grandson, Luke Beers, three sisters and their spouses, Violet and Bill Simm, Mayreen and Bill Sievers, and Vicki and Glen Klemme, and one brother, Keith Oldewurtel.

Funeral Services

Trinity Lutheran Church in Slayton, MN on Friday, August 11, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Jeffrey Williams officiating.  The organist is Kathy Schwartz with special music by Cody Gerber.  The pallbearers are grandsons, Ryan and Adam Beers (Julie), Michael and Cody Gerber (Jim), Seth Todd and Jake Scott (Connie), and Garrett Muecke (Brett).  Interment is at Slayton Memorial Gardens in Slayton, MN.

Visitation will be on Thursday, August 10, 2023, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Slayton from 4-6 p.m. and one hour prior to the services at the church on Friday.  Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton is entrusted with arrangements.  To send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Arlie Joyce (Oldewurtel) Muecke-Sellevold, please visit our floral store.