Arlene Lorna (Nobis) ZumMallen was born on Jan. 21, 1933, in Fairmont, Oklahoma. She entered into the arms of her Savior on Dec. 13, 2022. She was baptized at Zion Lutheran Church in Fairmont, Oklahoma, and gave her Confirmation of Faith at Zion, as well, on March 30, 1947. Her confirmation verse is Blessed are they that hear the Word of God and keep it. Luke 11:28
Arlene was raised on the farm several miles east of Fairmont. With many brothers and sisters, work was the order of the day. Arlene attended school in Fairmont and Garber, Oklahoma. She met the love of her life, Arnold ZumMallen, where many Oklahoma Lutherans gathered back in the day, at Camp Lutherhoma, near Tahlequah, Oklahoma.
Arnold and Arlene were married on May 10, 1953, at Zion Lutheran Church in Fairmont, Oklahoma. Life on the farm, east of Okarche, would become home for the next 70 years. She was a homemaker, farmer’s wife, child taxi service provider and helped milk the cows for 25 years. Where the sun really shined was in the kitchen. No one went hungry at Grandma’s house.
Arnold and Arlene were blessed with five children – Joan and husband Mike Murken of New Braunfels, Texas; Brenda and husband Ron Baustert of Okarche, Oklahoma; Kathy and husband Rev. Jeff Klade of Okarche, Oklahoma; Warren Zummallen; and Ben ZumMallen and wife Elizabeth of Pfafftown, North Carolina.
The grandchildren clan: Andrew Murken and wife Amber; Allison Murken Blaize and husband Brian of Oklahoma City; Bradley Baustert and wife Jennifer of Stillwater, Oklahoma; Matthew and wife Lindsey of Okarche, Oklahoma; Brice and wife Abby of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Hannah Klade Renner and husband Phil of Okarche, Oklahoma; John Klade and wife Kristen of Ft. Worth, Texas; Thomas Klade of Okarche, Oklahoma; and Sam ZumMallen, James ZumMallen and Adelyn ZumMallen of Pfafftown, North Carolina. Also, 12 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Carolena Nobis; son, Warren ZumMallen; brothers, Elmer, Marvin, Harold, Raymond, Leonard and Roland Nobis. Sisters, Esther Nobis Loesch and Bernice Nobis Fischaber. She is survived by her husband, Arnold ZumMallen; brother, Donald Nobis; and her four children.
Funeral services will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Okarche, Oklahoma, on Monday, Dec. 19, 2022, at 10 a.m., with Rev. Joel Heckmann and Rev. Jeff Klade officiating. Graveside services will follow at the St. John’s Cemetery with a dinner after at St. John’s Parish Hall.
Services are under the direction of Huber Benson Funeral Home, El Reno, Oklahoma. Visitation will be Saturday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday afternoon from 1:30-6 p.m. The family will be present from 2-4 p.m. Sunday at Huber-Benson.
