Arlene Irwin Wilson

Born July 19, 1914

Died September 5, 2010

Arlene, 96, passed away peacefully in Lake Oswego, on Sunday, September 5, 2010.

Arlene was born on July 19, 1914 to Eva Rose Graves and James Irwin in Fullerton, Nebraska, and passed away on September 5, 2010 in Lake Oswego, Oregon. She was the last surviving sibling of five children: Ramona, Helen, Arlene, Richard and Eloise who all grew up in the Nance County area of Nebraska.

At the age of 16 Arlene graduated from Fullerton High School and taught kindergarten through eighth grade in local country schools in Nebraska, while attending education classes during summer vacations. She also worked for a time at the local utility company in Fullerton.

In 1940 she married Marion Howard Wilson and moved to Denver for several months. In the 1940’s opportunities drew them to Los Angeles, California where Marion worked at Lockheed Aircraft Factory. Arlene was a secretary for the Army Air Corp during World War II. At the end of the war Arlene and Marion moved to Woodburn, Oregon and purchased property in Molalla. Here they built a house, grew daffodils and farmed row crops. Arlene began to teach at Molalla Grade School in 1948, working with 6th, 7th, and 8th graders.

In 1955 Arlene and Marion bought a farm south of St. Paul, Oregon where they raised cattle, pigs, grain and corn as well as various berries. They dug a well and built a house and barns. She is a long time member of the Woodburn United Methodist Church.

In 1957 Arlene completed her Bachelor of Science in Education at Mt. Angel College. Arlene took a position as a 3rd grade teacher at Keizer Grade School in 1955, continuing to work for the Salem Keizer School District until she was 62. She continued to take classes during her lifetime as a teacher and was awarded a National Science Foundation grant to attend a summer science program for elementary teachers at the University of Oregon in 1962.

After Marion died in 1999, Arlene continued to live at the farm, eventually moving to Newberg and then on Lake Oswego. Arlene loved to paint and left many beautiful paintings for family members. She was also an avid reader and enjoyed working in her garden.

Arlene is survived by her daughter: Marlene K. Fox (John) of Aurora, Oregon; three grandchildren: Anthony Fox of Seattle and Penny Ott of Tigard; 2 great grandchildren; and a son: Douglas M. Wilson of Richland, Washington.

A funeral service will be held at Woodburn United Methodist Church, 700 N. Cascade Dr., Woodburn, OR 97071 on Friday, September 10, 2010 at 10:00 am with interment to follow at Belle Passi Cemetery in Woodburn.

In Lieu of Flowers, contributions may be made to the Woodburn Public Library.

Arrangements by Young’s Funeral Home in Tigard, Oregon.