Arlene Badgley

Oconto, NE- Arlene R. Badgley, age 78. Arlene Rae Lewis Badgley was born January 26, 1937, south of Broken Bow, Nebraska, to Marvin C. and Ethel L. (Gibson) Lewis. She passed away September 14, 2015, at her home in Oconto, following a short illness. Early in her life, the family moved to rural Oconto where she attended country school and high school in Oconto, graduating in 1954. Arlene then attended one summer at Kearney Teachers’ College followed by one year of teaching school on Redfern Table. On May 15, 1955, she married her high school sweetheart, Leroy Badgley. To this union five children were born. Leroy & Arlene began their married life living in the rural Oconto area, moving to Broken Bow in 1961, and then on to Lexington in 1964, and finally returning to Oconto in 1967, where they remained until their passings. Arlene was a woman of many talents and skills. She learned to play piano early in life and that passion continued with her playing organ for the Oconto United Methodist Church for over 40 years and providing music for many events in the area. She also taught that passion for music to many, many local students. Her love of sewing, quilting, knitting, and crocheting culminated in hundreds of different projects that she enjoyed giving to family and friends, along with countless service projects. Arlene was always willing to teach anyone about her knowledge of her crafts, including helping young area 4-H’ers with their crafting skills. Because of her love of quilting, she was a member of Custer’s Last Stitch and the Plum Creek Quilters’ Guild. More than anything, Arlene loved her family. When her house burnt in 2001, she insisted that her house be rebuilt as large as before because her kids and their families always came home. She enjoyed going to the grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s extra –curricular activities and supporting all local students in their endeavors. She was known to countless just as ‘Grandma Arlene.’ Arlene was one of the first EMT’s for the Oconto Rescue Squad, getting her certification in 1974, along with Leroy and son, Kevin. She continued in that capacity until Leroy’s death in 1999, at which time she chose not to renew her license. Arlene never knew a stranger. Everyone was made to feel welcome in her home and never went away hungry. Many a traveler was housed in her home on cold, snowy nights when weather prevented them from going any further. Arlene’s welcoming house was known to family and the community as the ‘Badgley Motel.’ In her later years, Arlene became known as the ‘tea’ lady. If there was an event happening in the Oconto area, Arlene was the person to go to for having the iced tea brewed and served. Arlene lost her beloved husband Leroy in 1999, but continued to reside in their home in Oconto and enjoy a fulfilling life until her illness in August. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Marvin & Ethel Lewis; in-laws, Merlin E. & Lillie (Helmuth) Badgley; grandson, Joshua Badgley; brothers-in-law, Bernard Preston & Harry Henry. She is survived by her children - Kevin (LuAnn) Badgley of Kearney, Patricia (Galen) Neben of Thedford, Renee (Charlie) Gregory of Sutherland, Annette (Craig) Sloggett of Haslet, Texas, Clifford (Nicole) Badgley of Oconto; grandchildren – Bryan (Jeanette) Badgley of Sutherland, Nathan Badgley of Kearney, Amanda Badgley of Minden, Wade Neben of Thedford, Kally (Brett) King of Newman Grove, Jackie (Elijah) Ingram of West Point, NY, Megan Maranville of North Platte, Hannah Sloggett of Gillette, WY, Lillie Sloggett of Norfolk, Carson, Emma & Laney Badgley of Oconto; 6 great-grandchildren with the 7th on the way; siblings - Lorraine (Monte) Dodd of Minneapolis, MN, Barbara Merritt of Brule, Judy Lewis of Minneapolis, MN, Calvin (Leslie) Lewis of Kirkland, AZ, Janet (Tom) Lewis-Weaver of Scottsdale, AZ, sister-in-law, Charlotte Henry of Oconto and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services will be held on Saturday September 19, 2015 at 10:00 AM at the Oconto Community Building in Oconto with Reverend Doug Jones officiating. Burial will be in the Oconto Cemetery with Govier Bros. Mortuary of Broken Bow in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will be held on Friday 8 AM to 3 PM at Govier Bros. Mortuary in Broken Bow. Visitation will also be held Friday evening 5 PM to 7 PM at the Community Center in Oconto, where the family will be greeting friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Oconto United Methodist Church.