Arnold W. ZumMallen was born on October 14, 1931, to Dietrich and Louise (Schulze) ZumMallen of Okarche, OK at the El Reno, OK Hospital. He entered into the arms of his Savior on March 6th, 2024.
He was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Okarche, OK, by the Rev. T.C. Otte in 1931. He attended St. John’s Lutheran School in Okarche and graduated from Okarche High School in 1949. Arnold was confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church on March 25, 1945 by Rev. Paul Hoyer. His confirmation verse: I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5
Arnold was raised on the family farm east of Okarche. He started farming with his father, Dietrich, in his teen years. He met the love of his life, Arlene Nobis from Fairmont, OK, through various family gatherings and events back in the day. Arnold and Arlene were married on May 10, 1953, at Zion Lutheran Church in Fairmont, OK. Life on the farm, east of Okarche, would become home for the next 70 years. Arnold was a no-nonsense type of farmer/rancher with an uncanny ability to be called a “least-cost producer.” His faith in his Lord and Savior, along with his “Guardian Angel” carried him through the toughest of times.
Arnold served in many places. He was on the Federal Land Bank Board of Directors from Stillwater, OK, for a number of years. He was on the Oklahoma Mineral Owners Board of Directors. Arnold was a member of Oklahoma Wheat Genetics and the Oklahoma Crop Improvement Association. He served many church offices at St. John’s Lutheran Church – church treasurer, financial secretary, Sunday school superintendent, trustee, and elder. His hobbies included buying and selling stocks and buying oil and gas minerals.
Arnold and Arlene were blessed with five children. Joan and husband Mike Murken of New Braunfels, TX, Brenda and husband Ron Baustert of Okarche OK, Kathy and husband Rev. Jeff Klade of Okarche, OK, Warren ZumMallen, and Ben ZumMallen and wife Elizabeth of Pfafftown, NC.
The grandchildren clan: Andrew Murken and wife Amber of San Marcos, Texas, Allison Murken Blaize and husband Brian of Oklahoma City, Bradley Baustert and wife Jennifer of Stillwater, OK, Matthew and wife Lindsey of Okarche, OK, Brice and wife Abby of Tulsa, OK, Hannah Klade Renner and husband Phil of Okarche, OK, John Klade and wife Kristin of Ft. Worth, TX, Thomas Klade of Okarche, OK, and Sam, James, and Adelyn ZumMallen of Pfafftown, NC., and 12 great-grand-children.
He is also survived by his sister Emmalein Schroeder of Okarche, OK and sister Julia Willms of Kingfisher, OK. Arnold was preceded in death by his wife, Arlene ZumMallen, parents, Deitrich and Lousie ZumMallen, and a son Warren ZumMallen, and sister Elaine Roth, and great-grandson Daniel Murken.
Funeral services will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Okarche, OK, on Monday, March 11, 2024, at 10:00 AM with Rev. Joel Heckmann and Rev. Jeff Klade officiating. Graveside 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, OK.
Memorials can be sent to St. John’s Lutheran Church Child Development Center (CDC) and Concordia Life Care, OKC.
