Arlene M. Larson

Arlene M. Larson

Arlene Miller was born on a farm near Milford, Nebraska, on April 9, 1928. She was the second of seven children born to Silas and Christine Miller. She also had nine older half-brothers and sisters. Arlene graduated from Milford High School in 1945 after just turning 17. For the next six years she taught grades one through eight at nearby country schools. During the summer breaks she attended classes at the University of Nebraska, from which she graduated with a degree in English in 1953. It was during this time that she met Bill Larson, as well as several others who would become her life-long friends.

In the fall of 1953, Arlene enrolled at the University of Denver - graduating in August of 1954 with a Master's Degree in Library Science. She was offered a position at the Denver Public Library, but instead took a job at the Omaha Public Library, where, in her words, she could "keep an eye on Bill."

She married Bill Larson in June of 1956, and newlyweds moved to El Paso, Texas, for a year. Bill was stationed there in the Army, and Arlene worked full time at the El Paso Public Library. Upon Bill's discharge from the Army, they moved to Denver, where they both found employment in the Jefferson County School System. When James and Joann came along, Arlene became a full time homemaker for six years.

In 1967, Bill was awarded an Experienced Teacher Fellowship to a college in Oregon for one year. There, Arlene worked part time at the college library. Upon returning to Denver, Bill and Arlene resumed their careers at the Jeffco schools. For the next 22 years, Arlene was librarian at Alameda Junior High, where she was popular with both students and staff. She retired in 1989, but was called back to work in the Jeffco schools' professional library for the next 12 years.

Professionally, Arlene was a leader in her school, participated in several evaluation teams for the North Central Accrediting Association, and worked on text book selection committees. She also belonged to the Delta Kappa Gamma Society, International, for key women educators. Arlene established the Calvary Temple library in 1963 and served in it until a month before her passing.

Arlene and Bill loved to travel, and they made many trips to Europe, as well touring Russia, China, and most of the states in the U.S. Arlene never grew tired of meeting people from different countries and learning about their culture and history. She was able to make friends anywhere. Arlene loved and appreciated the beauty of nature, and was able to take several cruises in her lifetime. She loved the beauty of her adopted state, Colorado, and loved to spend time in the mountains. She was also an avid reader, and ofter would read three books a week.

Arlene was competent, caring, confident, and sometimes competitive. She had a definite desire to be a winner, but was always loving and gracious in victory and defeat. Her greatest passions in life were her family and her faith in God and His Son, Jesus Christ. She was generously supportive of her church and missionaries. She was a wonderful wife, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend, and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Arlene Larson passed away on April 12, 2011, after a short battle with cancer. She faced her last days with courage, humor, and grace. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, William; children, James (Cora) and Joann (Michael) Matiska; grandchildren: Lisanne, Joel, Marielle, Elizabeth, Brett and Christina; siblings Charles, Doris, Marion, John, Don and Lonnie.

Memorial donations suggested to Calvary Temple Missions Fund or the missionary of your choice.