Arlene Margaret Stolen, 100, passed away on July 27th in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Born to Simen and Petra Tande in Kanawha, Iowa, she was the youngest of four, with brothers Oran, Sy and Everett. On June 12, 1948, she married Lyder John "Bud" Stolen in the church in Kanawha her dad built, where she had been baptized and confirmed.

Music became her first love when she was only a child in a very musical family. She attended St. Olaf College, majoring in music, singing in the choir, and playing cello in the orchestra. She taught music in schools in Minnesota and Iowa while Bud finished Law School at Drake University. They settled in West Des Moines and had three children, Linda, John, and Carol.  As a claims attorney for Amoco Oil Co., Bud was transferred to La Grange, IL then on to Salt Lake City, UT in 1961. Arlene was a gifted choir director in her churches and an inspiration to many young musicians in elementary schools. One more transfer to Denver in 1972 where she "retired" from teaching, only to continue her passion by giving private lessons and after 32 years, their final move together was to Greeley, to be closer to family.

Arlene is survived by her daughters and their husbands, Linda and Bert van Toornburg and Carol and Ken Johnson, her daughter-in-law Lisa Stolen, ten grandchildren and their families and fifteen great grandchildren.  Her husband Bud and son John preceded her in death.

A Celebration of Arlene's life will be held at Our Savior's Lutheran Church on August 15th at 11am with a reception immediately following. In Lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor the memory of Arlene, please contribute to the music ministry at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Greeley or at Bethany Lutheran Church in Cherry Hills.