ORROCK, MN
MAY 5, 1923 – NOVEMBER 15, 2020
On November 15th, 2020 Arzella Erica Lambert departed from her long and storied worldly life, and began her heavenly journey. She was reunited with her savior, and also many family, friends and loved ones who had proceeded on before her. On May 5th, 1923 Arzella Erica Johnson was born to her loving parents Edward Miles Johnson, and Annis Christine Johnson (Larson). She was the youngest of her siblings Selma, Clara, and Raymond. The family farmed in the rural townships of Becker, and later Orrock. Arzella would recall memories of the one room school house with a woodstove where she attended grade school, and also of the dust storms moving through the prairies of MN at the time.
Her entire life she was a woman of faith, and was baptized and confirmed at the Orrock Lutheran Church in 1939. In 1943, she married Clarence “Boots” Lambert, and they began to plant the roots of their family. Old family stories recall the nights when Arzella would accompany Clarence to dance events that were a popular social function at the time, and Clarence and his family would play the Banjo, Fiddle, and Guitar in the dance band. During the World War wo years, Arzella and Clarence lived in a few different places, following his army assignments, including Texas, Louisiana, and Indiana. After the war, Arzella and Boots first settled in Orrock, then purchased and began to farm on 160 acres of land near the Blue Hill area of the county. Along the way, they started a family, with children Roger (Susan), Eugene (Judy), Laurene (Richard), and Robert (Audrie). In 1966, the family moved back to Orrock, where Clarence and Arzella ran a small gas station and Lambert Independent Oil Company. Clarence passed away in 1977. After that, Arzella spent many years at the family home in Orrock.
She enjoyed spending time with all of her children and grandchildren, quilting, baking, gardening, canning, and was also a very active member of Hope Lutheran Church. In 1994, she re-married to Merrill (Denny) Posey whom she met and was active in Church with. They settled at his home near Eagle Lake, where she remained until his death in 2000. The remaining years of her life were spent living peacefully at her daughters Laurene’s home, and also at the Shepherd’s of Grace Assisted Living Home. She enjoyed visits from her family, grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. She also loved recalling stories from her childhood and what it was like growing up in a farming community during the great depression. She leaves behind a legacy of being a kind, strong, and humble woman, bursting with much needed wisdom from a simpler, yet more difficult time. The glue, that held the family together. The tenacity, that kept us strong. The wisdom, that gave us knowledge. The historian, who reminded us where we came from. That is her legacy, and for that, we are all indebted. Though we are watching her leave, other souls are watching her approach, and they are rejoicing, and welcoming her home at last!
She is preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Anne Johnson; sisters, Selma Lambert and Clara Hunter; brother, Raymond; husbands, Clarence “Boots” Lambert and Denny Posey; grandson, Todd Lambert; daughter-in-law, Judy Lambert; her granddaughter’s husband, Loren Samuelson; her grandson’s wife, Angela Lambert.
Funeral service at 2:00PM on Friday, November 20, 2020 at Hope Lutheran Church, 26498 – 180th St, Big Lake. Visitation from 4:00-7:00PM on Thursday, November 19 at Peterson-Grimsmo Chapel, 250 E Broadway, Monticello and one hour prior to the funeral at the church.
