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Obituary for Irene Virginia Arfsten
Irene, age 93 of Larkspur, Colorado.
Irene was born on March 25, 1927 in Sedalia, Colorado, the first of four children born to Goldie (Benson) and Charles Hessler. She was born at home, her birth being assisted by midwife, Gladys Davis. Shortly after her birth, her Mom and Dad moved to Parker, CO, to help her Grandad, John Benson, at the ranch. Her childhood was spent on the ranch, driving the tractor, growing gardens, cooking, sewing and knitting. In 1945, she graduated from Douglas County High School in Castle Rock, Colorado and soon after, she made arrangements to go downtown Denver to take the Civil Service test. She then moved to Bijou Basin and for three years, taught school at the one room schoolhouse there. Her living quarters was in the back of the teacherage of the schoolhouse. She met her future husband, Robert (Bob) Arfsten, a ranch hand for the Shaw Ranch in Bijou Basin, at a Saturday night dance, and they were married July 11, 1948 in Colorado Springs, CO. To this union, six children were born: Peggy, Richard, Patricia, Ruth Ann, Robert and Patrick. After a brief move back to Sedalia, she and Bob moved to Larkspur, CO to assist her Mom with the small farm she had acquired in 1955, and remained in Larkspur until 2011, when infection with a knee replacement brought multiple surgeries and the need for assisted living.
When Larkspur was hit hard with the Flood in 1965, leaving no access in or out of town, a Red Cross helicopter was sent to town with supplies. The pilot asked the crowd if they knew Irene Arfsten, as he had baby supplies for her. Patrick was six weeks old at the time, and the Dr. that delivered him called the Red Cross to advise that she would need baby supplies. It was a welcomed gift, as she used cloth diapers and needed formula!
In 1969, Irene started working in the kitchen at the Larkspur Elementary School, and remained in that position for 23 years. When the new Elementary School was built, she walked up/down the hill to/from the one mile to work. Bob worked as Custodian at the Larkspur Elementary School as well, and often, she and Bob, were asked to fill in to be the “Grandparents” for a child who would not have grandparents attending the Grandparents Lunch Day at the Elementary School.
A devoted woman of GOD, she was Nursery Attendant at the Little Log Church in Palmer Lake for 13 years and her life was filled with family, being active with 4-H, serving as a Leader and participant each year at the Fair with canned or knitted goods, hiking Devil’s Head each year where her Grandad, John Benson, built the first lookout station, member of the Friendly Larks Home Demonstration Club, Bowling (local, state and National), Dice Rolling Dozen Bunco Club (50 years started in Larkspur), Sun Flowers Square Dance Club (Local, State and National), PTA, served on the Douglas County Republican Election Board, and was an active traveler, spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Three times, she was a crowned Queen: 1) 1972 Douglas County Homemaker of the Year; 2) 2004 Larkspur Pumpkin Festival Days (husband Bob was King), and 3) 2019 Douglas County Fair Parade as Queen for Brookside Inn.
On October 30th, Irene, 93, went into the arms of Jesus with her daughters Peggy and Ruth Ann by her side, and additional family members present via iPad and telephone.
She is survived by five children, Peggy Watson, Patricia (John) Toohey, Ruth Ann Arfsten, Robert (Bonnie) Arfsten, and Patrick (Brenda) Arfsten. Grandchildren: Ronald (Kim) Haynes, Justin Haynes, Darann (Bob) Held, Erin Toohey, Dayna (Jesse) McDermott, Sara (Colton) Paice, Stephanie Vetch, Francis and Ginger Hemmah, Amber Chasteen and Great Grandchildren: Jeslyn, Mckinsey, Wild, Isaiah, Elias, Aiden, Jax, Kaylee, Addison Irene, Bryant, Jennifer, Peyton and Camden. She is also survived by her sister, Charlene Scott, sister, Shirley (Fred) Burris, and brother, Charles (Joan) Hessler and many nieces and nephews. Her husband, Robert, and son, Richard, preceded her in death.
In honor of Irene’s love for nature and the many walks, hikes and drives to look at wildlife, donations in her memory can be made to Douglas County, c/o Open Space & Natural Resources, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, CO 80104, or to Wet Mountain Wildlife Rehabilitation, 743 Crestview Drive, Florence, CO 81226 (proceeds will be sent to the Larkspur Wildlife Rehabilitation Center)
Services will be held on Monday, November 9, 2020 at Chapel at Ellis Family Services, 13436 West Arbor Place, Littleton, Colorado 80127. Viewing at10:00 A.M. followed by services at 10:30 A.M. Services will conclude at the chapel with private interment in Cedar Hill Cemetery, 880 E Wolfensberger Rd., Castle Rock, Colorado 80104 will follow. A Celebration of Life will also be planned in the Spring/Summer of 2021 in Larkspur.
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Previous Events
Visitation
Monday
9
Nov
10:00 AM11/9/2020 10:00:00 AM
- 10:30 AM
11/9/2020 10:30:00 AM
The Chapel at Ellis Family Services
13436 West Arbor Place Littleton, CO 80127
The Chapel at Ellis Family Services
13436 West Arbor PlaceLittleton80127CO
United States
Funeral Service
Monday
9
Nov
10:30 AM11/9/2020 10:30:00 AM
The Chapel at Ellis Family Services
13436 West Arbor Place Littleton, CO 80127
Services will conclude a the Chapel. Private burial to follow services at Cedar Hill Cemetery. PLEASE FOLLOW THE GOVERNOR'S COVID19 GUIDELINES, MASK ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND. Thank you.
