Arlene Morrison, 85, of Great Falls, passed away on Friday, June 28, 2024, at Peace Hospice of complications due to a 12 year battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Cremation has taken place.

Arlene was born on March 28, 1939, in Choteau. She lived in Augusta until the age of 3. The family then moved to Great Falls. All of her education was completed here. She stayed in communication with several girlfriends that she grew up with. They remained close for 75 years. She graduated from Great Falls High School in 1958 and went to work as a telephone operator for Mountain Bell. She was selected to be an operator for the National Governor Conference in Glacier National Park in 1960.

She met her future husband, Nick at a barn dance at Stearns Hall located on a back country road between Augusta and Wolf Creek. They were married on August 12, 1960, together for 64 years this August. Together they had two sons.

In later years, Arlene was employed as a Special Education Teacher assistant. She always enjoyed working with children. She also painted moc-rocks for years selling them through the Made in Montana store. The entire family called her “Gramma.” She went on cruises to Alaska and the Caribbean. In 2000, she completed the trip of a lifetime. A month long trip to Europe with stops in Germany, Austria, Italy, France, and England.

She is survived by her husband, Nick; sons, Vance and Shawn; grandsons, Zeke and Tyler; granddaughters, Kelsey Mandel and Amanda Jones; great-grandsons, Connor, Parker, and Noah; great-granddaughters, Taylor and Lainey; special niece, Jesi Reed; and sister, Dee Vancleve; and half-sister, Janice.

Condolences for the family may be shared online at www.OConnorFuneralHome.com.

Author: Staff

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