Lois Darlene (Soennichsen) Arnold (September 6, 1935 - April 28, 2023)

Lois Darlene (Soennichsen) Arnold was born September 6, 1935, to George and Anna (Mahlum) Soennichsen in Malta, Montana. She attended Central County School until the eighth grade and then graduated from Whitewater High School in 1954 as salutatorian of her class. She grew up on the family farm where she enjoyed many happy hours with her brother Ron riding over the prairie and the country she grew up in. She did trick riding, as horses were her first love. In later years she and George had many adventures traveling around the Helena area hiking and enjoying the scenery.

In 1955, she was married and later divorced, three children were born of that union, Tony, Donnie, and Susie. In 1972 she married Maurice Arnold from Opheim, and they made their first home in Great Falls, Montana, then in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Upon retirement in 1997, they moved back to Helena, Montana, to build their retirement home. Maurice became ill before it was started. Darlene did manage to build the home and enjoyed many years there. In January she became ill with terminal cancer and passed away in Hospice Care in Helena, Montana on April 28, 2023.

She is survived by one son, Tony Valez of Helena, Montana, sister Carol (Howard) Pippen of Saco, and brothers, Ron (Candee) Soennichsen of Malta, George Soennichsen on the family farm, and six grandchildren, Jason, Casey, Donnie, Tara, Lela, and Brittny.

She was preceded in death by her son and daughter Donnie and Susie Valez, infant son Michael Arnold, husband Maurice, two sisters, Alice Korman, and Glenna Ehrert, two brothers Dannie and Donnie Soennichsen, and granddaughter Arianna.

Graveside services will be held at the Saco Grandview Cemetery at a later date.