Nellie Arnold

Nellie Mae (Walters) Arnold passed on to be with the Lord on March 22, 2007 at the Brendon House in Kalispell.

She was born to Aaron Arthur Walters and Minnie Mae (LaMott) Walters on June 16, 1924, in Browning, the ninth of 11 children. Her early life was spent in Browning, where she attended school through the 10th grade.

She met and married Epharm Robert Arnold on June 30, 1941. Their first son, Walter, arrived in 1942. An adopted son, Marvin (Tony), arrived in 1952. Later, a foster daughter, Joann, joined the family.

The family moved around, and Nellie worked for a few years in shipyards in California before the family finally settled in Whitefish. There she managed and cooked at Casey's Cafe for more than 20 years.

Nellie loved life and enjoyed being around people and helping others. She was an avid bowler and spent many years 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; husband Epharm; son Marvin; daughter-in-law Elaine Arnold; and great granddaughter Leahdonis Hinkley.

Nellie is survived by her 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, 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 take place at the Austin Funeral Home in Whitefish on Friday, March 30, from 1-8 p.m. Funeral services will take place at the Whitefish Moose Lodge on Saturday, March 29, at 2 p.m. with Rev. David V. Kauffman officiating. Cremation will follow.