Arlene Chagnon

Arlene Grace (Fredricks) Chagnon went to be with her Lord Jesus March 25, 2016. Arlene was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She was a lifelong learner and was a legacy of faith to her family. She was born July 15, 1938 in Hastings, Nebraska, the daughter of Fred and Anna (Brunken) Fredricks. She grew up on a farm outside of Hastings and graduated from Hastings High School in 1955.

On November 27, 1965, Arlene married the love of her life, Raymond George Chagnon. She worked as a secretary for Kansas Nebraska Gas Company for over 20 years. Following her retirement from KN Gas, she was a Social Worker for the State of Nebraska, retiring after 17 years. She also worked at Wal-Mart as a second job and retired after over 10 years.

In spite of raising 5 children and working full time, Arlene managed to stay active in her community. She loved gardening both vegetables and flowers, sang and played piano in the church choir, and led 4-H groups. She loved to sew and taught her grandchildren to sew and quilt. She made innumerable quilts and blankets for family and friends and many were donated here and abroad. Religion played an important role in Arlene's life. She enjoyed women's Bible studies. After her retirement from KN, , she attended college. In one of her classes, she wrote her autobiography. The last sentence states, "I will rely on God's mercy and love when I pass beyond the horizon".

She will be greatly missed by her daughters, Angela Kay (Ryan) Brown and Pamela Kay (Lane) Sanford; step-son, Tom (Janet) Chagnon; grandchildren, Levi and Austin (Kasey) Brown, Alexandra, Abigail and Zachary Sanford, Brenda (Scott) Favinger, Tim Chagnon, Jason Chagnon, Chad Rothfuss and Felice (Casey) Sikes; great grandchildren, Riley, Ashley and Kelsey Favinger.

She has been reunited with loved ones who have passed before her, including, her parents; husband, Ray; sister and brother-in-law, Erma and Menno Schmidt; step-son, Steve Chagnon; step-daughter, Janet Dornhoff; nephew, Keith Schmidt.

A visitation and reception will be held from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 30, 2016, at Livingston, Butler, Volland Funeral Home in Hastings, Nebraska. She will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband following the visitation at Parkview Cemetery in Hastings.