Arlene Lavonne Powell, 87, died Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at home in Alliance.
She was born September 7, 1933 in Hemingford to John and Evalena (Winegar) Jurgens. She graduated Hemingford High in 1950 and received a teaching certificate at what is now Chadron State College. She taught in rural Box Butte Schools for a time. In 1952 she married LeRoy Powell at the Hemingford Methodist Church. They farmed and ranched for many years in the Hemingford and Chadron areas. They would go on to celebrate 65 years of marriage before his passing in 2018. Together they raised four sons and enjoyed watching their family multiply with 10 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Arlene was a very accomplished gardener winning numerous awards for her produce and flower arrangements. She was quick to share gardening tips, bird watching knowledge or her faith in Jesus Christ as her Savior to anyone who needed to hear. To her final days she could recite Isaiah 53 entirely from memory without error. She treasured the Gospel message found there. She made many close friends and great home cooked meals during her lifetime. In later years, after her own kids were grown, she returned to education as a teacher’s aide. They retired from farming and moved to Gering in 1993.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband LeRoy, siblings Floyd Jurgens, Irma Jean Betz, Danny Jurgens and infant brother Alan Jurgens. She is survived by her sons Gary (Nancy) Powell of Alliance, Dan (Karen) Powell of Tulsa, OK, Dave (Melinda) Powell of Gretna, NE and Greg (Robin) Powell of Alliance. She is also survived by her sister Linda Fox of Wood Village, OR, brother Lonnie Jurgens of LaCenter, WA, and sister-in-law Marjorie Powell of Alliance.
Visitation will be Monday, January 18th from 1-7 PM, at Bates-Gould Chapel, with family present from 4-6 PM. Due to COVID restrictions, the funeral will be limited to family members and held Tuesday, January 19th, 2:00 PM at the Alliance Methodist Church with masks and distancing required. A Facebook Live service can be accessed by searching “Arlene Powell’s Celebration of Life”. Burial service, open to all, will follow at the Alliance Cemetery at 3:00 PM.
In honor of her love for children and learning, memorials are suggested to Sher Bear’s Preschool at 704 Box Butte Ave, Alliance, NE 69301.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com.