Arlene Bernadene Stilley

Arlene was born on May 11, 1935 to Theresa and Gilbert Winje on Leonard Winje's farm in Lidgerwood, North Dakota. She died on April 27, 2026. The family moved west and settled in Granite Falls on December 31, 1945.

She attended Granite Falls schools and graduated as Class Valedictorian in 1953. During her school years, she was popular and very outgoing, she was involved in clubs, plays, girls state and was yearbook editor. After high school, she went to Everett Junior College for a year.

She worked for the telephone company and in 1963, started working for the bank in Granite Falls. She worked hard to become its manager. She retired in 1994.

Arlene met, and in 1955 married Jerry Stilley, the love of her life. They had 5 children and led a very active life together for almost 50 years. Arlene was a leader for Camp Fire girls, coached girls' softball, enjoyed camping and hunting, bowling, gardening and finding projects to do around the house. She was quite involved with community activities such as the Granite Falls Centennial, and the historical society. She held many positions in the Granite Fails Eagles Auxiliary and worked on a lot of projects for the veterans and military. She had many hobbies including sewing, quilting, doll making, crocheting, and ceramics. She sewed most of the children's clothes and canned much of their food. Involvement in the Holy Cross Catholic Church was an important part of her life. She considered ice cream to be essential to life, loved watching the Mariners and enjoyed her Bunco group.

Arlene and Jerry traveled all around the states and the world. After his death, she continued to travel. She bought a house in Mantador, ND and spent her summers there with friends and family. Her last trip was to Germany at the age of 87.

She received many awards including Granite Falls Alumni Hall of Fame and Citizen of the year. She had a kind and generous heart and was forever giving to charities. She had a fun nature, and sense of humor that was seen by those around her. She will be profoundly missed and forever cherished by her children Fred (Cherri), Karen (Ken), Jeanne (Windele), Terry, Jim (Carrie), 6 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, siblings Theresa Ann, Lewis, Gil and Babe, extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by Jerry, sister Joan Barclay, and brother in laws Dennis Barclay and Gordon Seaburg. Her mother used to tell her that her reward will be in heaven. May the gates of heaven open up to allow one of the finest earth's angels to be brought to Our Lord's side.

Mass to be held June 6th at 1 PM at the Holy Cross Catholic Church 5915 WA-92, Lake Stevens, WA. Celebration of Life following at 2:30 PM at the Granite Falls Eagles, 402 N. Granite Ave, Granite Falls, WA.