Arlene E. Wakefield's Obituary
Mrs. Arlene Elizabeth Wakefield, 104, of Tacoma, Washington. passed away in peace on September 10, 2019 at her home in Merrill Gardens of Tacoma.
The memorial service will be held at 11 am on Monday, September 16 at Mountain View Funeral Home, 4100 Steilacoom Blvd., Lakewood, Washington. Pastor Lowell Burrier of the Merrill Gardens Sunday evening Bible study will be officiating. There will be a reception following the service.
Arlene was born in Prineville, OR on January 6, 1915, to Don and Minnie Peoples. The family soon moved to Bend, OR where she grew up. She graduated from Bend High School, then Oregon Normal School. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in home economics from Oregon State College.
Arlene joined Robert S. Wakefield in Holy matrimony on May 4,1941 at First Presbyterian Church in Bend, OR. She and Robert were married for almost 50 years.
Arlene taught 24 years in elementary education, teaching nineteen and half of those years at University Place and Sunset Elementary Schools, in University Place, WA. She enjoyed working in her garden whenever possible. She joined the Order Of The Eastern Star (OES) in 1938, remaining a member until her death. She was very active in Tyler Chapter, University Place, WA into her 90s, serving as Worthy Matron five times. Arlene also held the offices of Grand Representative and Deputy Instructress in the OES Grand Chapter of Washington State
Arlene is survived by her children: Judy (Ralph) Leonard, Ruth (Charlie) Fahl and Wayne Wakefield; her grandchildren: Richard Ragle, Reed (Patty) Leonard, Bart (Erin) Leonard, James (Jennifer) Fahl; and Chuck (Jen) Fahl, and and her great grandchildren: Avery, Zane and August Fahl and Avery, Natalie, Ben and Mary Leonard.
Arlene is preceded in death by her husband Robert, her sister Betty (Dick) Stuver and brother Chuck (Mame) Latto.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to Eastern Star Charities, c/o Tyler Chapter OES #248, 2530 Grandview Dr., W, University Place, WA. 98466. The family of Arlene Wakefield wishes to thank the staffs of Merrill Gardens, Multi-Care Hospice and Homewatch Caregivers for the love and comfort they gave Arlene in her final days
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