Arlene Post

Arlene Pauline (Littau) Post, Chandler, MN, was born on February 8, 1934. She passed away June 24, 2025, due to failing health at the age of 91. Arlene was the 8th of 10 children born to Benjamin and Katherina (Burr) Littau on the ranch by Carter, SD. 

Arlene went to a one-room school until 9th grade when she went to Winner High School graduating as a valedictorian of the class of 1952. She then took her teacher’s exam and began teaching in one-room schoolrooms by the ranch. She continued her education during the summer and graduated from Southern State Teachers College in Springfield, SD. While she was teaching in Sioux Falls, she met Frank Post through her roommate and best friend Jennet (Van Reulder) Mollema. Frank was a dairy farmer from Chandler, MN, and they were married a year later on August 24, 1963. Four children – Ben, Bill, Brent, and Polly - were born to this marriage.

Arlene continued to teach at Chandler during the earlier years of her married life and then worked side by side with Frank on the farm as bookkeeper, maintaining their home, and raising their children. She and Frank were leaders of the Chandler Hilltoppers 4-H Club for over 30 years and their children participated in many of the project areas with showing dairy cattle being a highlight. Arlene was active in her church, St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran (WELS) of Balaton, MN, leading Ladies Aid, teaching Sunday School, and attending Ladies Aid state and national events. Frank and Arlene also served on the DHIA Board for 30 years as secretary. Since Frank was a veteran of the Korean War, they were part of the Chandler Legion and Auxiliary and held many offices throughout the years. She and Frank instilled a deep love of God and Country in their children.

 Arlene was known for creating a loving home where many were fed at her table with a good meal and fellowship. She showed her love through her cooking. A light lunch was a 4-course meal and all left full. She was a fabulous cook, master patcher of jeans, and altered many items for her kids and grandkids. She was proud to say she did not color her hair and was thankful for living in a community where neighbors took care of each other in word and deed.

She is survived by her children: Ben (Connie) Post, Bill (Merri) Post, Brent Post, and Polly (Dean) Vander Wal; grandchildren: Wyatt, Kayla (Ethan) Vogel, and Wade of Ben and Connie; Sarah (Jacob) Bierstedt and Jake (Megan) of Bill and Merri; Jordyn, Aubrey, and Brynlee of Brent; Carter (Courtney) and Lindsey of Dean and Polly; great-grandchildren: Aiden, Coby, and Shelby Bierstedt; Addilynn, Willa, and Letty Post; AJ Vander Wal; sister Edna Haase, brother Ted (Phyllis) Littau, sisters-in-law Kathy (Lou) Kuhl and Susan Post; along with many nieces, nephews, friends; and the neighborhood family that meant so much to her. 

She was preceded in death by her husband Frank Post; her parents Ben and Katherina Littau; her in-laws James and Jenny Post; her siblings Fred (Dorothy), Johnny (Leona), Emma (Ernest) Lenser, Freda (Harry) Legge, Reuben (Betty), Leona (Richard) Mathis, and Lou Ella; and brother-in-law Melvin Haase.