Arlene Gatzke

Funeral Service for Arlene Gatzke, 86, of Baker, MT will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at the Peace Lutheran Church in Plevna, MT. Burial will follow at Peace Lutheran Cemetery in Plevna, MT.

Prayer Service will be held 7:00 p.m. June 16, 2025 at Stevenson Funeral Home of Baker.

Visitation for Arlene will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. June 16, 2025 at Stevenson Funeral Home of Baker. 

Arlene I. Gatzke passed away on May 29, 2025 at the Fallon Medical Complex Long Term Care facility in Baker. 

Arlene was born in Bowman, ND on March 1, 1939 to Edward and Rosalia (Monson) Pladsen. She was the youngest of five children. Arlene attended eight years of country school and then Bowman High School, graduating in 1957. She spent the next four months working as a secretary for the O & M Elevator Co. in Minneapolis, MN before returning to Bowman to work at the Co-op store until it closed in 1959 after which she worked at the Super Valu store in Bowman. Arlene married Darryl Gatzke on October 26, 1961 at the Bowman Lutheran Church. They moved to Milwaukee, WI where Darryl helped his brother Art drill wells. Seven months later the couple moved back to Bowman and rented a small farm. In 1962, their first son, Duane, was born. In 1965, they moved to MT and rented a farm between Plevna and Baker. In 1966 their second son, Alan, was born. In 1970, the family purchased a farm south of Plevna and farmed and ranched there for over 40 years. Arlene was an active member in the community and Peace Lutheran Church, teaching Sunday school, quilting and belonging to the Ladies Aid group. She was also a member of the Plevna Senior Citizens. When Darryl passed away in 2018, Arlene moved to the Superior Care Villa assisted living facility in Baker. In 2024, Arlene moved to the Fallon Medical Complex Long Term Care facility in Baker.

Arlene is survived by her two sons, Duane (Beth) Gatzke of Kent, WA, and Alan (Ferrin) Gatzke of Bainbridge Island, WA; one granddaughter, Alaina Gatzke of Bainbridge Island, WA; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Rosalia; sister, Emily Davis; brothers, Reuben, Ronald and Elwin; brother-in-law, Carroll Davis; and sisters-in-law, Charlotte Pladsen, Ella Pladsen and Mary Pladsen.