Aedene Lorene Arthur

Aedene Lorene Arthur

Loving and caring Aedene Arthur passed peacefully February 16, 2020 surrounded by her loved ones.

Aedene was born in Medford, Oregon on February 20, 1943. She was the first-born daughter to Delta Lorene Glass. She was a protective and caring sister to her brother Jimmy, sister Charlet and baby brother Joey. She graduated with honors from Central Point High School. She was in the Honor Society, President of Student Council and was prom queen her senior year. She moved to Washington D.C. after high school and worked as a telephone operator. Where she met Gary Heath and had a baby girl, Elizabeth Lorene. She decided to pursue a college degree and attended Southern Oregon State College, earning her teaching degree. She got a teaching position in Oregon City where she met her future husband, Jerry Arthur. After marrying on August 12, 1967 they made a decision to be adventurous and moved up North to Alaska to teach in the Bush. First stop was Anchorage, then to Fairbanks where Jerry took some college courses and also obtained his pilot’s license (the means of transportation in rural villages). Their son Aaron Joseph Arthur was born on August 2, 1969 while in Fairbanks. They then taught in Ruby for one year. They moved to Tanana where their daughter Tanette (Tana) Jerene Arthur was born on April 8, 1971. After a year in Tanana they moved to New Stuyahok where they taught for 8 years but enjoyed summers in Oregon with their families. Aedene wanted to further her education and offer her kids new experiences so they moved to Monmouth Oregon. She got her Masters degree as a Media Specialist. After obtaining her degree, they decided to move back to Alaska. Aedene accepted a job in Seldovia as their librarian/media specialist. Their last move was to Palmer where they decided to stay put and bought a home in the Butte. Aedene taught a few years at Sherrod Elementary where she helped start Battle of the Books and was proud when her team won the statewide competition. She then accepted her last teaching position at Butte Elementary where she retired after teaching for 27 years. Aedene was a longtime Palmer resident who loved teaching, helping others and socializing. She always had an entertaining story to tell and just loved being around people. She loved to garden and plant her beautiful flowers every summer that she’d put in the State fair. She was very proud of her ribbons she’d win. Aedene enjoyed spending time with family and friends, going to her grandchildren’s events and watching plays. Her love of reading never ceased. She was a regular at the Palmer Library always checking out new adventures to entertain her. The couple where involved in many organizations and especially proud to be part of the Palmer Lions Club. They spent many volunteers hours helping the community. She was an advocate for Avalanche Awareness and was very passionate about teaching everyone about safety as she had lost her son, Aaron in an avalanche in 1999 and lost her daughter Beth to a homicide in 2001. Aedene has now joined her beloved children in heaven. Aedene loved life, loved her family, and made the best out of every situation. She was a wonderful caring soul who will be missed dearly.

She is preceded in death by her parents Burton and Delta Jensen, uncles Willard and Donald Buchanan.

She is survived by her husband of 53 years Jerry Arthur; Daughter Tana; grandchildren Zaya, Aaron, Isabelle and Sofia; Grandchild Brenna; great grandchildren Mohammed, Aiesha and Khadesha; Brothers Jimmy and Joey; and sister Charlet.

Services for Aedene will be February 29th at 2 p.m. at The Jesus Christ of Ladder-Day Saints. 560 W. Bogard Rd. Palmer, AK.

There will a Celebration of Life/Party at The Elks Lodge in Wasilla. 2600 N. Barry’s Resort Dr. Wasilla AK.