Gloria 'Arlene' Hulford, 84

Arlene died peacefully at home in Columbia Falls, Nov. 30, 2019, surrounded by family.

Arlene was born Sept. 29, 1935, in Kalispell to Marion and Florence Murer. She grew up on the family farm and went to school in Mountain Brook and graduated from Flathead County High School in 1952.

Arlene was married a few times over the years and raised four boys, on her own at times. She finally met and married her soulmate Wayne Hulford in 1992.

They went everywhere, and did everything together. They followed the local craft fair circuit with Wayne making cedar planters and Arlene made centerpieces and other little decorations and knick-knacks until age caught up with them. She also made and sold Christmas wreaths and decorations during the holidays, supplying them for many local businesses as well.

Arlene loved dancing, card parties and family picnics at her house, and mostly the hunting and camping trips up the South Fork with her family. She enjoyed canning and baking and was famous among family and friends for her delicious pies; she made the crust from scratch. In the past few years her favorite thing to do was spend Fridays at the Senior Center listening to the live music and talking to the people.

Arlene was preceded in death by her parents, stepmother Betty, her loving husband Wayne, an infant son (at birth), sister-in-law Joleen, and numerous aunts and uncles.

Arlene is survived by her sons and their families, Terry Stevens of Columbia Falls, Randy Hill of Coulee City, Washington, Roddy (Mort) Hill of Columbia Falls and Cory Hill of Kalispell. She is also survived by her three brothers and their families, Loyal “Pinky” Murer of Bigfork, Jack Murer of Libby and Ted Murer of Kalispell. She was also very blessed to have had and be survived by 17 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren, all of whom she loved very much. She will be dearly missed by all.

Services for Arlene will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at Country Inn and Suites, Heavens Peak Room, 4150 U.S. Hwy. 2 East, Kalispell.

Cremation is being handled by Darlington Cremation and Burial Service in Kalispell.