Arlene Irwin

Arlene Follett Irwin, 93, passed away on August 8, 2018 in Morgan, Utah.

Arlene was born in Centerfield, Utah, on September 17, 1924 to Martinus Tillman Follett and Mabel Elizabeth Larsen. As the oldest of six children, she was entrusted with many responsibilities early in her life as her single mother obtained an education and supported their family. When she was a junior in high school, her mother accepted a teaching job at Morgan High School and she became the “new girl.” Soon after, she met a quiet returned missionary from Devil’s Slide, John Conrad Irwin, Jr., and they began their four-year courtship.

She married John in the Mesa Arizona Temple on January 24, 1944 while he was serving in the Army. From the humble beginnings in a cramped, shared trailer in the desert, John and Arlene started their life together which would lead them to various Army bases during WWII, as well as Devil’s Slide, Utah, and finally Morgan, Utah where together they built their home and raised five children. They had enjoyed 68 years of marriage when Johnny died on July 9, 2012.  Their love was selfless and is eternal.  She was his “Schatzi” and he was her Johnny.

In addition to being a homemaker, Arlene was a reporter by trade. She began reporting for the newspaper in Morgan and later for the Ogden Standard Examiner, where she retired as the Society Editor in 1981.

Arlene was a faithful member of the LDS Church and served in various callings. Upon retirement, Arlene and John served as full-time missionaries in Zagreb, Croatia (then part of Yugoslavia) and again in 1990 in Dusseldorf, Germany. She and John also treasured many years of faithful service as Ogden Temple Workers.

Arlene had a passion for traveling. Whether it was by car, by a 1952 school bus that she and Johnny had converted, by RV, or by plane, Arlene experienced much of what the world had to offer.  Upon retirement and when they were able, Arlene and John enjoyed snow-birding in Lake Havasu, Arizona.

She was active in the community. She was a charter member of the Morgan Culturettes Club. She was also involved in the American Legion Auxiliary, the PTA, the DUP, the Morgan Business and Professional Women’s Club, the Literary Club, the Wasatch Wagons RV Club, and alongside Johnny in the Lions Club.

Arlene could always be found serving others. Her home always smelled of her famous freshly baked whole wheat bread or brownies. Her baked goods and kind words always had the effect of lifting those around her. Arlene’s favorite pastime was spending time with family and friends. Many memories were made at the annual Christmas Eve gathering, Easter, Thanksgiving, and at the Lion’s Lodge campout.

Surviving are her five children: Suzanne (Rick) Middleton of Beaver Dam, AZ; Rick (Kathy) Irwin of Riverdale, UT; Becky (Rocky) Johnson of Green River, WY; Robert “Doc” (Phyllis) Irwin of Lander, WY; Janene (Mark) Walker of Morgan, UT; 15 grandchildren and 43 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Johnny; all her siblings: Stan Follett, Elaine Averett, Mignon Kuykendall, John Follett, and Larry Follett; and a granddaughter-in-law, Julie McBride.

We, the family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the staff of Family Tree, as well as Aubrey from the Hospice Team, for their loving care of our mother. We are forever grateful.

There will be a viewing Monday, August 13, 2018, from 6-8 p.m. at Walker Mortuary, 45 W. 200 N., Morgan.  Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, August 14, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the Rock Chapel, 10 W. Young Street, Morgan with a viewing at the church from 9:45-10:45 a.m. prior to the funeral.  Interment will be at the South Morgan Cemetery.