Nellie Mae (Walters) Arnold, 82
Nellie Mae (Walters) Arnold, 82, 'passed on to be with the Lord' on March 22, 2007, at Brendan House in Kalispell. She was born to Aaron Arthur Walters and Minnie Mae (LaMott) Walters on June 16, 1924, in Browning. Nellie was the ninth of 11 children. Her early life was spent in Browning, where she attended the Browning School system through grade 10.
She met and married Epharm Robert Arnold on June 30, 1941. Their first son, Walter, arrived in 1942, an adopted son, Marvin 'Tony,' in 1952. And later a foster daughter, Joann, joined the family.
The family moved around, and Nellie worked for a few years in the shipyards in California before the family finally settled in Whitefish. There she managed and cooked at Casey's Cafe for well more than 20 years.
Nellie loved life and enjoyed being around people and helping others. She was an avid bowler, and was for many years was in league play. She and Epharm were both members of the Whitefish Boat Club. After Epharm's time in the military, they joined the VFW and Nellie became an active member of the Auxiliary. The couple were members of the Moose Lodge, and Nellie was active in the Women of the Moose, where she went through the chairs and earned the Friendship Degree. She later earned the College of Regents degree. Nellie was involved in both organizations for many years.
She was preceded in death by her parents; 10 brothers and sisters; her husband, Epharm; a son, Marvin 'Tony'; a daughter-in-law, Elaine Arnold; and great-granddaughter, Leahdonis Hinkley.
Nellie is survived by a son, Walter, in Columbia Falls; grandchildren, Robert Arnold and wife, Rowena, in Alaska, Wendy Hinkley and husband, Bryan, in Columbia Falls, David Arnold in Kalispell, Katrina Arnold in Columbia Falls, Lori Arnold and her children, Ruben, Marvette, Tonya, Cheryl and Duane in Whitefish, Angelicka, Jaymie and Christian Arnold in Columbia Falls; foster daughter, Joann May; grandchildren, Josetta and husband, Louis, and children, Chadera, Mike and Chris; Mike and wife, Sherry, and children, Jade and Tyler; Mary and children, Ashley and Dylan; Mykal Anne and child, Levi; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Nellie will be missed by many relatives and friends alike!
Visitation will be from 1 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 30, at the Austin Funeral Home in Whitefish. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Whitefish Moose Lodge, with the Rev. David V. Kauffman officiating. Cremation will be after services under the direction of the Austin Funeral Home in Whitefish.