Arlene Dalpra
CRYSTAL, MI- Arlene Dalpra, 85, of Crystal Falls, MI, began her beautiful life in heaven on Friday, February 6, 2026. She was lovingly surrounded by her family during her short illness at the Marshfield Hospital in Iron Mountain.
Arlene was born on December 16, 1940, in Ishpeming, MI, to the late Nels and Mona (Smith) Koskela. She graduated from the “Old School”, Crystal Falls High School, in 1958 and attended Suomi College. She married Paul Dalpra on July 22, 1961.
Her husband’s employment took them to Flint, MI, and Bloomington, MN, before settling in Ishpeming in 1973, where they raised their children. There, she graduated from Northern Michigan University with a Licensed Practical Nursing Degree and was employed by Bell Memorial Hospital as an LPN for 19 years. She also became a Hospice caregiver during that time. The family attended Bethany Lutheran Church in Ishpeming.
After retirement, they moved back ‘home’ to Crystal Falls, fulfilling the dream of building their home on the Dalpra cottage site on Lake Mary. Arlene spent many hours planting beautiful gardens, both at home and at United Lutheran Church. She became a Master Gardener and was a member of the Glacial Gardeners. Arlene learned sewing from her mother as a young girl and made beautiful clothes for herself and her daughter. She was proficient at making stained glass windows and decorative stained glass. In later years, she enjoyed her friendships, Bible Studies, and Quilting at United Lutheran Church. Arlene took great care putting fabric patterns together and always had a quilt in progress. The sewing machine and ironing board were never put away.
Arlene loved to laugh, have deep conversations, and read history and biographies. She was the best listener, and her questions showed how genuinely interested she was in you. You could often find her enjoying a bowl of ice cream.
Arlene is survived by her husband, Paul; daughter, Lori (Jon) Lamy of Iron Mountain; son, Dan of Lone Tree, CO; and two precious grandchildren, Ben Lamy of Kingsford and Kate (Peter) Brandenburg of Grand Rapids, MI. In addition, she is survived by her brother Charlie Koskela, sister Jo Anne Elliot, sister-in-law, Gail Dalpra, and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Arlene was preceded in death by 2 young sons, Michael and Steven, half-sister Pauline Toivonen, brothers-in-law Marvin Toivonen, Jerry Elliot, Rudy Dalpra, Bob Dalpra, and Lawrence Hegstrom, and sisters-in-law Mary Hegstrom and Doreen Dalpra.
Visitation will be held at United Lutheran Church, 506 Superior Ave, Crystal Falls, MI, on Friday, February 13, 2026, at 9:30, with a funeral to follow at 11:00, with Pastor D.J. Rasner officiating. A luncheon will follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Arlene’s name will be made to United Lutheran Church, Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp, and Mercy Ship.
Friends may leave condolences and tributes to Arlene’s family online at jacobsfuneralhomes.com
The family has entrusted Jacobs-Plowe Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Crystal Falls, MI, to honor Arlene’s legacy of life.