Arlene Ann (Schultz) Ringold entered eternal life on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, at the age of 94.
She was born Jan. 22, 1930, in St. Paul, Minn., to Arthur and Julia Schultz. Arlene was the youngest of their four children (Arthur, Beverly and Robert). When she was 17, Arlene missed her junior year of high school due to a benign tumor located on her spine. After a successful surgery at Mayo Clinic, she developed an interest in healing, which lead to her becoming a nurse later in life.
Arlene met the love of her life and her best friend, Garry Ringold, in 1949 at her brother Art’s wedding. They were married Oct. 28, 1950. After their honeymoon at the Ringold family’s lake place in Nisswa, Minn., they packed up their 8-by-27-foot trailer (which was their family home for the next 4½ years) and drove to Bovill, where Garry had accepted a job with the Potlatch Corp. as a forester. From Bovill, Arlene and Garry lived in St. Maries, Camp 44, Clarkston, Lewiston, Potlatch and finally settled back in Lewiston in 1964.
At this time, Arlene enrolled in the very first nursing program started at Lewis-Clark State College where she earned her nursing degree and became an Registered Nurse. She worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital as an orthopedic scrub nurse and did special duty nursing. Later, she worked for the Lewiston Health Department and then finished out her career with Dr. L.D. Harries where she job shared with her friend, Kay Willoughby. Arlene was exceedingly proud to be a nurse and used her knowledge to be an excellent care giver for Garry later in their life together. She took care of Garry until he passed away on October 27, 2006.
Together they are survived by their three children: Steve, David and Julie and six grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. Arlene’s greatest joys in her life were her children and grandchildren, and when her grandchildren began giving her great-grandchildren, her life was complete.
Arlene was preceded in death by her siblings and their spouses, along with all of Garry’s siblings. She was a favorite Aunt for many of her nieces, nephews and their children. Everyone stopped by Aunt Arlene’s for great conversation, good treats, and maybe an iced tea, coffee or cocktail. Also, Arlene loved playing bridge with her dear friends and would brag about being the high scorer when she had a good day. She will be greatly missed by all those who knew her and loved her.
A graveside memorial service is planned for 2 p.m. Monday, May 20 at the Lewis-Clark Memorial Gardens in Lewiston with a reception to follow at the family home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Spokane who took such excellent care of Arlene in the final weeks of her life. Arlene will be forever loved and forever missed.
