Alma Willhite Arnold Chisenhall

A Celebration of Life Memorial service for Alma Willhite Arnold Chisenhall will be held Saturday, Jan. 17 in the Congregational Church of Thompson Falls, MT at 1 p.m.. Alma, born August 16, 1919 in Fraser, CO to William and Hattie Willhite died from natural caused at her home January 10, 2009.

Alma was admired for her green thumb, especially her ability to raise huge southern cactus plants in the northern climate. She was noted for being a collector and teacher of Native American culture. Her infectious smile and love of dressing up on holidays to cheer up folks will be sorely missed.

She moved from Colorado to Montana with her husband Rodney Arnold in 1947, raising their family on a large acreage up Cherry Creek before ultimately moving into town. They bought and sold houses, finally settling at the home on Eddy Street. Her vegetable garden, berry patch, and lovely rock gardens were her favorite past time, saying she was “growing flowers for God”.

Rodney preceded her in death twenty years ago. They are survived by a son, Gene, his wife Dralin, their son Michael and his wife Katy, their children Jacob, Natalie and Madison of Virginia; and their daughter, Rhonda, her husband Ron, and their children Keith, Kyle and Kenani-Lynn of Puyallup,  WA. Alma is also survived by a daughter, Jan (JaiLeen Shepherd) and her three children, Debra Peterson and her son Brandon; Randy Olmstead and his daughter Sage; Rob Olmstead and his children Bailee and Bo.

Alma was among ten siblings, seven brothers and two sisters; still living are:  Alvin, Bud, Don and Ted Willhite. Ted and his wife Darlene, formerly of Thompson Falls, and their children Kirk, Sandy, Jim and TJ along with Roger and Doug, sons of her brother Corky Willhite and his wife Darlene (both deceased), are among her close loved ones. Also included in Alma’s devoted extended family are step-sons Ron and his wife Barbara and Roger and his wife Yung, survivors of husband Bill Chisehall, also a long time resident of Thompson  Falls.

A gathering of the family members will have a private memorial sometime this summer.

Arrangements entrusted to Sunset Hills Funeral Homes, Plains & Thompson Falls