Esther Jean Arnold

On January 2, 1944, she was born in the Centennial farmhouse of Fred E. Gorath and Junie U. (Anderson) Gorath in Perry, Oklahoma, which is the birthplace of both her father and siblings. After graduating from Perry High School in 1962, she went to Northern Oklahoma Junior College in Tonkawa and earned a Certificate of Completion in General Business. There, she met her future husband, Merle Arnold. She worked at John A. Brown Department Store until Merle swept her off her feet and married her in Perry on April 18, 1964.

Her daughter, Rachel, was born in Woodward in 1964, and her son was born in Pryor in 1967. They settled in Watonga in 1969. Her family fulfilled her fondest dreams, and she was a homemaker who undertook diverse tasks, including sewing, upholstery, cooking, gardening, canning, and cleaning. She was always available to help her in-laws, Charley and Sadie Arnold, with working cattle and controlled burns, among other things. She was involved in Mount Calvary Lutheran Church activities, including Vacation Bible School and printing bulletins. Her third child, Cindy, was born in 1982.

After years of domestic violence, her divorce was finalized in 1986. She began to flourish. She went back to school at El Reno Junior College, followed by the Canadian Valley Area Vocational and Technical School, where she graduated in computer repair in 1988. However, her calling was in service. In the same year, she began her role as a housekeeper at Watonga Hospital. This position transitioned to Mercy Hospital of Watonga. She was awarded Employee of the Quarter in 2000. She served 26 years and retired in 2015. Esther also sold her decorated cakes. Esther was involved in the Lutheran Women's Missionary League, Girl Scouts, 4-H, Watonga Hospital Auxiliary, Senior Citizen Exercise group, Friends of the Ferguson Home Museum, and Oklahoma Home & Community Education for 25 years. As a Watonga Hospital Auxiliary member, she helped with blood drives, hamburger fundraisers, trail ride fundraisers, bake sales, and delivering food. As an OHCE member, she volunteered at the County Fair and the Watonga Cheese Festival. For Friends of the Ferguson Home Museum, she served as vice president in 2023 and 2024 and participated in tea parties, July 4th celebrations, student visits, and birthday celebrations for the home. She also made cakes for County Fair auctions and the Lions Club fundraiser.

She often spoke about her kids and grandkids as her biggest achievement, as evidenced by her saving every report card that she rewarded. She was named the 4-H Leader of Blaine County in 2001, received numerous ribbons at the County Fair, and earned the American Legion’s Watonga Yard of the Month. The Friends of the Ferguson Home Museum recognized her with a plaque that says "Iris Garden by Esther Arnold" that will be placed in the iris garden she planted and tended.

Her favorite vacation spots included family. She often traveled with family. She went to Denmark to see relatives. She went to Disney World and many national parks with kids and grandkids. She embarked on a Caribbean cruise, Panama cruise and a South Pacific cruise, which disembarked in Australia. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, genealogy, cooking, painting, and canning. She was also adventurous. She tried riding a pony, a horse, a camel, a trail bike, a motorcycle, skateboarding, rafting, snorkeling, canoeing, kayaking, hot air ballooning, and skydiving. We recently had to tell her not to get on a one-wheel scooter.

Esther was honorable, fun, and had the biggest heart. She was always helpful to her in-laws, employers, community, friends, and family. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother Ernest F. Gorath, sister Laura M. (Gorath) Bourlon, and daughter Cindy L. (Arnold) Latty. Esther is survived by her daughter Rachel A. Lake and husband James of Jones, Oklahoma, and son Norville L. Arnold with Cynthia of Stillwater, Oklahoma. She is survived by her grandsons, Kristopher R. Lake and wife Shelby of Comstock Park, Michigan, Newly K. Arnold-Billy of Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Brian A. Lake of Edmond, Oklahoma. She is survived by nephews Pepper L. Bourlon of Rudy, Arkansas, Toby W. Bourlon of Van Buren, Arkansas, Terry W. Bourlon of Van Buren, Arkansas, and John F. Gorath of Perry, Oklahoma, and nieces Jennifer P. (Bourlon) Lamproe of Uniontown, Arkansas, and Cathy (Gorath) Hayes of Perry, Oklahoma. There are many great-nieces and nephews.

Friends and family may have visitation from 8:30 a.m. to 9:50 a.m. on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, 621 North Leach Street, Watonga, Oklahoma. Funeral services will follow at 10 a.m.

The graveside committal service will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Grace Hill Cemetery, Perry, Oklahoma. Pastor Pepper Bourlon will officiate the service. Kristopher Lake, Newly Arnold, Brian Lake, Toby Bourlon, James Lake, and William Anderson will serve as pallbearers. Kirby Hayes will serve as an honorary pallbearer.

Esther enjoyed flowers, but she also enjoyed giving. Domestic abuse, breast cancer, Alzheimer’s / dementia, and the many organizations that she participated in touched her life. She would be pleased with whatever way you desire to honor her, even if it is just your presence.