Arloine Marie Logsdon

Arloine “Arly” Logsdon died Nov. 20, 2009, at home surrounded by her family. A memorial service will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Palmer today at 1:30 p.m. She was 85.

Arly was born in Minneapolis, Minn., on Aug. 6, 1924. After graduating from business school in the mid-1940s, she worked as a secretary at the University of Minnesota in the Department of Biochemistry, where she met and married Charles E. Logsdon, a graduate student in plant pathology.

In 1953, Arly and Chuck moved to Palmer. Arly raised her children to be successful and know the value of hard work. She had a “green thumb,” and her flower beds added color to her yard and neighborhood. Arly was an avid reader, subscribing to a wide variety of magazines covering current events, travel, literature and fine dining.

Over the years, she volunteered at the Palmer library, was a member of Homemakers and of the Palmer Historical Society. Living in Alaska more than half a century, Arly had plenty of stories about times when it seemed everyone knew each other. She was proud of being in the Pioneers of Alaska and in recent years often ate lunch with friends at the Palmer Senior Center. Although for most of her life she seldom drove a car, over the last few years she drove to town every day to shop and check the mail. Arly was happiest when she was with her family, and thankfully that is how she left this world.

Arly is survived by brother Lewis Schmidt of Arlington, Texas; daughter Onnalie Logsdon; son and daughter-in-law Chuck Logsdon and Katie Eberhart, and grandsons Ben and Michael Logsdon; son John Logsdon, granddaughter, Anna Logsdon and grandsons, Jacob Logsdon and Jason Lindley; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Charles E. Logsdon. Memorial donations may be made to the Friends of the Palmer Library, 655 S. Valley Way, Palmer, AK 99645.

Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Palmer.