On Thursday June 4th Tom hollered down at Arlene Oban and said “Are ya coming Ma?”, and she went.
Arlene was THE most stubborn woman ever born and she didn’t go anywhere until she was good and ready. She was born in Roscoe, South Dakota, on Wednesday, March 3, 1937. She was the daughter of farmers Oscar and Katherine (Buechler) Winkler and showed her stubbornness at an early age. Her dad was a drinker so she would pour his wine out in the outhouse, against his wishes obviously, and she would face his “disappointment” time after time. But she never quit and eventually they sold the farm, moved into town and much to her relief her dad quit drinking.
She was a great singer and was always proud of the fact that she won a talent show when she was in high school. Maybe that is when she caught Tom’s eye. She was a cougar and married Tom in 1956 when she was 19 and he was only 18. Tom and Arlene were proud of their sixty-four-year marriage which truly lasted until death made them part. By 1964 they racked up four children, Cindy (Stan Erickson, Rapid City, South Dakota), Steve (Sally, Douglas, Wyoming), Mark (Debbie, Douglas, Wyoming), Kristie (Rob Young, Hopkins, Missouri) then out of nowhere, seven years later… SURPRISE!, there was Vickie (Jimmy Staley, Casper, Wyoming).
In 1978 the family moved to Douglas and Arlene became a childcare provider. She babysat 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for 20 plus years! She had many fond memories of “the kids she helped raise”. When many of her memories had faded, she still told stories of the kids that she took care of. If you were one of them, please know that even during her last weeks she still remembered you. From stories of little ones thinking they were talking to God, to the ones who sent flowers to Toms funeral. You were never forgotten. Arlene was never big on displays of affection, but she loved you all.
Arlene was a great cook and loved being with her family. She was disappointed when the family gatherings outgrew her house but her family will never forget the chocolate cakes that she made for everyone’s birthdays or watching her ride the tilt-a-whirl with the great grandkids every summer.
Her life was simple, she had a family, worked hard and traveled a little. She loved going for coffee and we want to thank all the people at the Broken Wheel and Blend Coffee for bringing sunshine into her days. She loved music, ALL music, and she was very disappointed when her children wouldn’t take her to see the Red Hot Chili Peppers two years ago. She was sure that she had their CD and that they were one of her favorite bands. In hindsight, we should have taken her.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Marvin Winkler; sister, Leona Schnabel; her dog, Sam; and her rock, Tom Oban.
She is survived by her five children, fourteen grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren and her dog, Lucky.
A graveside service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, June 10th, 2020 at the Douglas Park Cemetery in Douglas, Wyoming with Pastor Frank Wiederrecht of The Gathering officiating.
Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday from 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Douglas Care Center, 1108 Birch Street, Douglas, Wyoming 82633.
The Gorman Funeral Homes – Converse Chapel of Douglas, Wyoming is in charge of the arrangements.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.gormanfh.com
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