Arlene Garrison passed away on January
1st, 2023 at age 60 in Iola, KS surrounded by her family, Glen,
Cheyenne and Montana.
She was born May 11th, 1962 to Glenn
and Retta Smith. She grew up helping her dad on the family farm in
Moran, KS. She graduated from Marmaton Valley High School where she
was proud to be the school?s wildcat mascot. Arlene proudly
attended Pittsburg State University (?Once a Gorilla Always a
Gorilla?) where she received her degree in Accounting. After
college she was a government auditor in Wichita, KS until she met a
sun-tanned farmhand. After a proposal in a MF860 combine she married
her sweetheart Glen Garrison (the sun-tanned farmhand) in 1988. They
lived in Garden City, KS where she started her 30-year career in
banking eventually moving to Wichita and working her way up to Bank
VP. Glen and Arlene made their home in Newton, KS where they raised
their two daughters. In 2019 Glen and Arlene retired to her family
farm in Moran, KS.
Her joys in retirement were her
sun-tanned farmhand and her two rescue pit bulls Coulter and Millie.
She was always so happy to have saved them and give them a fun,
carefree life on the farm. Arlene always enjoyed making various
crafts for gifts, reading on her kindle, and advocating for equality
and social justice.
Arlene beat cancer 13 years ago, but
the heavy radiation caused continuously increasing health issues,
eventually wearing out her body. Throughout all the medical issues
she continued to look at the positive and always had something funny
to say to lighten the mood.
She is survived by her husband Glen
Garrison, her daughters Cheyenne and Montana Garrison, her parents
Glenn and Retta Smith, and her sisters Joyce Smith and Tricia Knoll.
The celebration of life will be held at
11:00 am on Tuesday, Jan. 10th at Trinity Heights United Methodist
Church (1200 Boyd Ave, Newton, KS) with a luncheon following. In lieu
of flowers a memorial has been established with ACARF, Allen County
Animal Rescue Facility. Please send these donations to the Petersen
Funeral Home, 215 N. Main St., Newton, KS 67114.
