Arlen LeRoy Olmsted passed away peacefully on Sunday March 10, 2024 at Memorial Community Care Center in Aurora, NE, having moved there from Norton, KS in October of 2022.
He was born Dec 9, 1931 to his parents, Everett G and Esther Allen Olmsted in Arapahoe, NE. The family moved to the Olmsted property just south of Beaver City, NE when he was a young boy. Arlen attended country school and graduated from Beaver City High School, class of 1949, where he met his future wife Arliena Mae Collins.
They married June 10, 1951 and Arlen enlisted in the Navy. He served four years of Active Duty during the Korean Conflict, as a radio specialist, stationed in Alaska. Honorably discharged in 1955, Arlen returned home to his wife and young family residing in Beaver City where he joined his father in the family farm/ranching operation.
Arlen was conservation minded and greatly improved the family agriculture operation, through terracing, sound farming methods, planted windbreaks for the wildlife and he expanded the cattle operation by raising Angus Beef.
He was active in community service in Beaver City as a member of the Jaycees and was a school bus driver, along with being a member of the First Presbyterian Church. Arlen was a caring individual, loving husband and father who was always willing to extend a helping hand to his friends and acquaintances in times of need.
When he had down time during winters from the agriculture duties, Arlen was a successful Insurance Agent for American Family Insurance Co in Lincoln, NE along with being a lifetime member of the American Legion. He earned the highest degree with the Shriners and also was an active Mason. He put great value on education, was well read, and enjoyed traveling with the family throughout the US. He loved a good game of cribbage, board and card games and was a faithful fan of Nebraska Cornhusker Sports. He was an active HAM operator and his call sign was K0PEB.
Arlen retired from agriculture in the early 1980’s, he and Arliena relocated to Yakima WA. Arlen began a new career, through his commitment to Alcoholics Anonymous. While his wife, Arliena taught as an elementary educator, Arlen worked tirelessly with the AA organization and Sundown M Ranch, the recovery center in Yakima, WA. He was most proud of his 42+ year association with the AA organization and discipline. Arlen & Arliena traveled extensively throughout the US to visit family and friends; rarely did they miss the BCHS Annual Memorial Day Alumni Banquet.
Losing his spouse of 64 years in May of 2015, Arlen continued to reside in the Yakima Valley area until mid-2019 when he moved back to Norton KS. In October of 2022, Arlen was moved to an Assisted Care Facility in Aurora NE to be closer to family in Lincoln & Omaha.
Arlen was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Arliena Mae (Collins) Olmsted; his parents: Everett & Esther (Allen) Olmsted, and sisters: Eleanor Olmsted and Bona McIntyre. He is survived by his daughters and their spouses: Sylvia VanZandt (Olan), Omaha NE, Debra Jones (Dr David), Guymon OK, Denise Pape (Gerrett), Green Valley, AZ, grandson: Jay Arlen Bennett, Lincoln, NE. Also, his sister, LaRee (O’Connor) Witt, Lincoln, NE and brother-in-law, Horace Collins Jr., Norton KS and numerous nieces and nephews and extended family and friends.
Cremation has taken place, the inurnment at Norton Cemetery is scheduled for the morning of Wednesday September 4th, 2024 at 10:30 am. The family would request no flowers and any memorials be directed to: The Valley Hope Foundation, PO Box 59, Norton KS. 67654. Arrangements by: Plumer-Gobber Funeral Home, 215 W. Main St., Norton, KS 67654. Condolences may be left at www.plumergobber.com