Arlene Catherine Bower

Arlene Catherine Bower, age 91, was born on December 24, 1934, in Seattle, Washington, to Mary and Bertil Karlsson. She passed away peacefully on March 12, 2026, in Mooresville, North Carolina, with her family by her side.

Arlene was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ronald Bower, and is survived by her daughters, Debra Varnes of Arlington, WA, and Kimberly Ritchie and her husband, David, of Mooresville, NC; her sister, Diana Swanson and her husband, Gary, of Belfair, WA; her grandchildren, Brandon, Kristin, Krystle, Mary, Amanda, Jaylee, Kevin, and Roma; her great-grandchildren, Porter, Rhythm, Hudson, Finlee, Katie, Rhapsody, Vivian, Wyatt, Rejoice; and numerous extended family members.

Having grown up with an immigrant grandmother during the years following the Great Depression, Arlene deeply appreciated the blessings life brought in her later years. More than anything, she was devoted to her family.

Arlene fell in love with Ronald Bower, the boy next door, when he returned home from a tour in the Navy. They were married on January 1, 1955, and soon welcomed their daughters, Debra and Kimberly. The family made their home in Lynnwood, Washington, where they raised their girls and where Arlene lived until February 2025. After Ronald’s untimely passing in 1977, Arlene remained the steadfast matriarch of her family.

Arlene worked for many years as a meat wrapper at Olson’s and later at QFC, retiring in 1999. She loved her dogs and enjoyed tending her backyard garden, where she grew tomatoes and raspberries and made delicious homemade jam.

She was affectionately known as “Grandma B,” a name she chose for herself before becoming a great-grandmother for the first time, inspired by the bumblebee. Her home was always open, and countless memories were made there—playing cards, sharing big pots of minestrone soup from a treasured family recipe passed down from Italy, and gathering for festive Christmas Eve celebrations held on her birthday. Arlene embodied the spirit of the holiday: warm, generous, and full of love.

She will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Her family finds comfort in knowing she has been reunited with Ron.

The family wishes to thank Beatrice Trautmann, Terra Bella Lake Norman, and Via Palliative/Hospice for the exceptional care they provided to Arlene and for treating her like family.

Arlene will be interred alongside her husband, Ron, at Purdy & Walters at Floral Hills.

Purdy & Walters at Floral Hills Cemetery

409 Filbert Rd.

Lynnwood, WA 98036

Celebration of Life

A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, June 16, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at:

American Legion Memorial Park Legion Hall

145 Alverson Blvd

Everett, WA 98201