Arlene Mellema

Arlene Frances Mellema, age 84 died on 09/14/2022 on Hope West Hospice Services.

Arlene was born on 12/15/1937 in Castlewood South Dakota and was the daughter of the late Frank and Winnette Kalsbeck.

One of Arlene’s favorite memories are riding a horse to school with her siblings from her parents farm.  Arlene graduated from Castlewood High School with 17 other students in her class ( 9 girls and 9 boys ). Arlene moved from South Dakota to California to pursue Cosmetology school.  She worked and was a successful beautician for over 40 years and in her later years of work owned her own shop in Sunnyside Washington.  After Arlene retired she moved to Moses Lake Washington then later to Cedaredge/ Grand Junction Colorado.

Arlene was a member of the Dairy wives of America while owning a dairy with her husband Jake Mellema, was a member of business and professional women’s group as well as an active member if the Christian Reformed Church in Sunnyside, Wa.  Arlene was always willing to help others including serving her local nursing homes in Sunnyside by offering haircuts for 3$ and perms for 5# for the elderly on her day off.  When Arlene retired she volunteered at the local Christian school as a Tudor for grades 1-4 and later volunteered for the local second hand shop in Cedaredge Colorado which provided money for the local shelter shop. During COVID she baked hundreds of loves of banana bread for her local neighbors in her Independent Living Facility stating the “ quarantine can not get me down”.

Arlene enjoyed her friends at her apartment complex going to coffee, competing in cookoffs ( even won the golden ladle) and helping those around her as much as she could. Arlene was social and outgoing and loved life to the fullest.   Arlene was dedicated to her family and was proud of her 3 children, 8 grand children and 9 great grand children and was so loved by all.

Arlene Mellema was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Winnette, her brothers Art and Abe, and her sister Willemena Hemstra as well as her ex-husband Jake Mellema.

Arlene Mellema is survived by Ingrid ( Harlen ) Carter , Gloria ( Ed ) Serpas, Eric ( Kristi ) Mellema, Curtis Carter, Chantel Carter, Elijah Brito, David Brito, Ashley Cogburn, Jacob Mellema, Brittany Cane, Michael Mellema, and 9 great grandchildren.