Arlene Clauson

On October 20, 2018, Arlene Clauson, age 89, passed from this earth and was reunited with her Lord and Saviour and her beloved husband, Hank, in heaven. She was born July 22, 1929, at Terraville, South Dakota, to Ernest and Minta Hanning. She grew up in Prosser, Washington. She met Hank at a swimming hole in the Yakima River when she was 16 years old. They dated for a short time, eloped and began their life together. They were married for 71 years when Hank passed away on March 10, 2017.

Arlene loved her life as a wife, mother and homemaker. The birth of a daughter, Kathryn, and son, Edward, made her life complete. Hank worked in the construction industry so there were lots of moves, but the majority of time the family lived in Spokane. She served as PTA chairwoman for Field Grade School and as a Girl Scout leader for 12 years. She loved gardening and belonged to the Sandy Hill Spadettes Garden Club in Spokane. She worked for Dr. Lester Hussey, Optometrist, and as a school cook for School District 81. The family loved camping and boating on the local lakes. In 1976 Hank and Arlene had an opportunity to purchase property at their favorite lake, Priest Lake. They moved to Priest Lake and established a family haven which everyone lovingly called 'Hanksville'.

They quickly became family at the Priest Lake Community Church, where Arlene served as a deacon, taught Sunday School, baked cookies for Awanas and enjoyed all the young people, especially the Phillips girls and the Cobb kids. With Arlene's flower gardening skills, and Hank's hard work, Hanksville became a showplace on the lake. She was a member of Bonner County Hospice.

After living at Priest Lake for 33 years, they moved to Colfax for the winter months, continuing to spend summers at Priest Lake. Eventually they moved to The Courtyard in Colfax, where they received loving care and daily visits from Kathy. At the Courtyard she made many new friends, learned to play cards and especially enjoyed not having to cook! Arlene will always be remembered for her quiet faith, her sweet smile, her warm welcome, her Snickerdoodle cookies, her green thumb and her delicious handmade turtles, given to family and friends at Christmas time. Her family meant everything to her.

Survivors include, Kathy (Jim) Lemon, of Colfax, Ed (Kathy) Clauson, of Anacortes, Washington; grandchildren, Jamie (Jill) Lemon, Kris (Jim) Kackman, and Katie (Jesse) Rezi;, and great-grandchildren, Gavin, Casey and Jesse Lemon and Alex and Kylie Kackman. She is survived by her sister, Ina Redd, of Spokane, Washington, and numerous and much loved, nieces and nephews. Her sisters, Marie Cleavenger, and Blanche Smith, and one brother, Marshall Hanning, preceded her in death.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 3, at 2 pm at the Colfax United Methodist Church, 109 S. Mill St., Colfax, Washington. Donations may be sent to the Priest Lake Community Church, 28047 Highway 57, Priest River, Idaho, 83856, or a local hospice group of your choice.

Bruning Funeral Home of Colfax, WA is caring for the family. On-line condolences may be made at http://www.bruningfuneralhome.com.