Arlene Lynelle Reeder-Russell

Arlene Reeder-Russell passed away peacefully on April 4, 2025 at the age of 91. She was surrounded by members of her loving family.

Arlene Lynelle was born to Glynn and Mildred (Millie) Schoening in Eckert, Colorado, on April 25, 1933. Six years later, her sister, Kae (Cline), was born. During WWII, the family moved to San Francisco, California. Arlene was 9 years old, living at 410 Shrader Street, San Francisco, when Pearl Harbor was attacked. For the rest of her life, Arlene recalled the stories of how scary the blackouts and bomb shelter drills were. She also regaled her family and friends with stories of how kind the sailors were to her. These events made a big impact on Arlene.

After the war, Arlene and her family moved back to Colorado for a few years. Then they decided to move to Lincoln, Nebraska. A big event happened there, though it wasn’t clear until several years later. While in the 8th grade at Helen Hyatt Elementary School in Lincoln, Arlene met her husband-to-be and love of her life, Merlin Reeder. After a year in Nebraska, the family moved back to Colorado where Arlene attended high school at Campion Academy in Loveland. After graduating, Arlene attended Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska where she and Merlin reconnected and fell in love. They were married on August 28, 1952, and began building their beautiful, loving family. On March 18, 1954, Arlene and Merlin welcomed their first son, Dennis. Two years later, on January 24, 1956, their second son, Gary, was born. After Merlin graduated from college, the family moved back to Colorado for a few years. While in Colorado, Arlene and Merlin welcomed their third son, Donavan, on August 11, 1959, and their fourth son, Steven, on September 9, 1961.

In 1964, Merlin and Arlene moved the family to Salt Lake City, Utah to manage the Highland Manor Nursing Home. After many years of running the nursing home alongside Merlin, Arlene embraced a new challenge by taking over as the full-time manager when Merlin returned to teaching.

After the boys were all grown, Arlene became a receptionist for the Holladay Family Practice doctors’ office. She remained working there until her retirement.

Arlene kept her life busy and full. She was a wonderful, loving homemaker for her husband and four boys, managed the nursing home, was one of the organists for their church, sang in the choir, went camping, boating, rafting, and traveling, and participated in countless school and church events.

Arlene was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and was an extremely loving Christian woman. Each week after church, if there was someone with nowhere to go for lunch, she would invite them home for a tasty meal, great conversation, and an afternoon of being treated like one of the family. It didn’t matter if it was a family in town visiting the beautiful Utah mountains, or a former WWF professional wrestler just passing through, Arlene’s home and heart were always open to make new friends. Over the years, she opened her home to countless people in need. It seemed there was always someone living with the Reeders.

Arlene’s pride and joy were her grandchildren. Her happiest moments in life were the times she spent with her precious grandkids. Whether she was snuggling with them while reading a book, or on a magical trip to Disneyland, “Grandma” filled the time with life, love, and laughter.

After 57 wonderful years of marriage, Merlin passed away in 2010. A few years later, Arlene was married to Don Russell and moved to Laurel, Maryland. There, she and Don traveled the east coast of the United States and Canada, visiting friends and family, for seven great years until Don’s passing.

Arlene lived her last years in Mesquite, Nevada at the Beehive Homes Senior Living Center. As always, she made many new friends there, too.

Arlene was preceded in death by husband, Merlin Reeder, 2nd husband, Don Russell, son, Gary Reeder, parents, Glynn and Millie Schoening, brother-in-law, Jay Cline, “adopted” daughter, Candy Olsen, and “adopted” granddaughter, Shawna Romero.

She is survived by sons, Dennis (Jan), Don (Donna), and Steve (Roxanne), daughter-in-law, DeAnn, sister, Kae, grandchildren Lance (Sheryl), Andrea (Scott), Brittany (Christopher), Greg, Chelsee, Jessica (Stephen), Callie, and Mike, 11 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild, and “adopted” son, Tracy.

Arlene is also survived by her additional family from her 2nd marriage, Rick (Kathy), Kathy (Don), Jerry (Sharon), Don Jr., Bradley (Leslie), Grace, Kimberly (Gabriel), Ryan (Nikki), Brittany (Cannon), Kristen (Elliott), Haley (Miguel), Nicholas, Kylie, Jake, and 5 great-grandchildren.

Arlene leaves behind a legacy of love and grace, and these are qualities her family will always remember in connection with her.