Arlene Rose Stiller

Arlene Rose Stiller (nee Brown) of Loveland, Colorado passed away on Wednesday January 7, 2026 at age 92. Born in Olmsted County, Minnesota in 1933, she met her future husband, Wes, at age 5 in a one-room schoolhouse they both attended. As soon as Wes met her, he told her, “Someday I’m going to marry you.” And he did. Arlene and Wes shared 71 happy years of married life.

Arlene grew up on a farm and had plenty of stories of learning cooking and baking, gardening, animal care and keeping a neat home. In high school she was involved in singing groups and worked, alongside her then boyfriend Wes, in her parents’ restaurant in Pine Island, Minnesota. After high school Arlene worked in a local bank while Wes went off to war in Korea. She wrote him every day he was away. When Wes returned from Korea in 1953, he and Arlene were married in Pine Island Methodist Church. Wes was still in the service, and they moved to Junction City, Kansas and from there to Minneapolis.

Arlene continued to work in a bank there until their first child, Steven, was born. They had another son, Mark, a year later. She was an incredible mother and raised her sons with the strong faith and moral values she exemplified. Arlene loved music and sang in choirs, played piano, and occasionally played the church organ. With her example and encouragement Steven and Mark also developed a strong love of music. The family also enjoyed fishing and camping all the years the boys were growing up. While the boys were in college, Arlene worked as school secretary in several different schools.

After the boys finished college, Arlene and Wes moved to a home on Eagle Lake in Northern Minnesota. There they enjoyed country life and a whole lot of fishing. There was nothing Arlene liked better than fresh caught walleye. In 1997 they moved to Longmont, Colorado to be closer to children and grandchildren. They were very active in Longs Peak United Methodist Church where Arlene and Wes mentored new members for many years. They moved to Good Samaritan Loveland Village in 2023, enjoying the beautiful views, the wildlife, and meeting new friends. She remained there for several months after Wes, the love of her life, passed away in January of 2025, then moved to Brookdale in North Loveland, where she lived the last months of her life under their excellent care.

Arlene was an incredible mother, teacher and friend and was a role model in all she did. Her baking was legendary, especially her chocolate sheet cake. She demonstrated her deep Christian faith without fail, and in all aspects of life, an inspiration to all who knew her. She was open, fun and loving and made friends with all who met her. She always kept a bowl of Hershey’s kisses on hand for visitors. All her caregivers noted how wonderful and sweet she was. Arlene had an infectious laugh, loved a good joke, was a master of practical jokes, and liked nothing better than winning at cribbage.

Arlene was preceded in death by her parents, Rose and Scott Brown, her brothers, Elmer and Raymond, her husband, Wesley. She is survived by her two sons, Steven and Mark, her grandchildren Emily, Katherine and Matthew, and 7 grandchildren.