Arlene Bernice Crosby of Picabo died July 8, 2007, in the loving care of the staff at Shoshone Rehab and Living Center. She had spent the last two weeks of her life there when her condition suddenly declined, and she could no longer be in her home in Picabo. She lived in Picabo for eight years in a home next door to her daughter and son-in-law, Vicki and Mike Riedel, and enjoyed the kindness of her neighbors there.
Arlene was born Feb. 5, 1913, in Montevideo, Minn., to Tillie (Loose) and Gustav Sampson. She grew up and graduated from high school in Redwood Falls, Minn. It was there that she met and married handsome Bert Crosby and gave birth to her son, Robert, and daughter, Vicki. In 1955 the family moved to Los Altos, Calif., where she lived until her move to Idaho. Her working years were spent in the retail women's clothing business, both in Minnesota and California.
This beautiful 94-year-old, a former beauty queen, Miss Redwood Falls of 1933 (her silver loving cup sits proudly in her kitchen), always cared about her good looks and would plan her attire for the next day every night before she went to bed. This was especially true when she had her favorite friend, Butch, from Schwan's, or the nice friends from Meals on Wheels coming the next day. She enjoyed her home and had hobbies of gardening, reading, crossword puzzles and painting, though poor eyesight limited these activities in her later years.
Arlene is survived by her son, Robert Crosby of San Jose, Calif., and her daughter, Vicki (Mike) Riedel of Picabo and grandchildren, Nancy (Michael) Malko of Hailey and Christopher Post of Santa Cruz, and had the joy of spending lots of time with her one great-grandson, Dane Michael Malko of Halley. She was preceded in death by her husband, her two sisters, Erma and Dorothy, and by her parents.
A small gathering for her will be held at a later date in Los Altos, Calif. The family gives thanks to Hospice of the Wood River Valley, Blaine Manor, Idaho Home Health, Blaine County Senior Center, Meals on Wheels, Shoshone Rehab and Living Center and her wonderful Minnesota and California friends who kept in touch with her.
Arrangements and cremation are under the care of Wood River Chapel of Hailey.
Arlene Bernice Crosby
