Barbara Jean "Barb" Thrasher Strom Arlington
1932 - 2012
Beloved mother and caring friend to many people in Missoula and Great Falls, Barbara Jean Arlington passed away from us in the early morning of May 25, 2012.
She was preceded in death by her husbands Oliver W. Arlington and Stanley Edward Strom.
Barbara was born in the small town of Harmon, Ill., on Nov. 29, 1932, to Inez and Robert Thrasher. She was the youngest sister in a family of two brothers, Robert and William Thrasher and four older sisters, Lois, Mary, Doris and Valeria. In high school she was active in school plays, rollerskating, and dancing. After graduating from Amboy High School in 1951, Barb moved to Omaha, Neb., and briefly pursued training in the airlines industry.
Later she met and married Stanley E. Strom of Minneapolis. After the birth of two children, Sally J. Strom and Richard S.Strom, Barbara remained in Omaha while her husband was stationed in Japan with the U.S. Air Force. In 1959, Stanley Strom and Barbara were reunited in Great Falls.
In February 1964, Barbara gave birth to a second daughter, Cynthia Marie Strom. After Cynthia began kindergarten, Barbara decided to pursue a career outside the home. She worked for the American Red Cross for the next 25 years calling donors and volunteers.
Over the years her work evolved from using Roll-a-Dex cards to rudimentary computers and then to more advanced computers. She loved her work and took pride in her growing skills and efficiency. One of the high points of her career with the Red Cross was a trip she took to Washington, D.C., for more training. She toured the Capitol, museums and historic landmarks, bringing back many happy stories.
Unfortunately, after the AIDs epidemic of the 1980s, work was downsized at the Red Cross and Barbara took an early retirement. She kept in contact with all her friends at the Red Cross through weekly lunches and monthly meetings of the "Has-Been Club." After retirement Barbara continued a second career as an Avon lady with a large territory on the northwest side of Great Falls. Her customers were also her friends; and all her friends were sorry to see her leave Great Falls.
In 2010, Barbara decided to move to Missoula to be closer to her daughter and son. She moved into the Missoula Manor and quickly made many new friends. She enjoyed learning new card games, playing bingo and joining in fundraisers for the Manor. Barb lead a full and active life until a recent hospitalization for back surgery. Her death was quite unexpected and sudden.
Barbara said she was not a very good student in high school. Yet she claimed to know one phrase from her Latin class, repeating it many times to her children: "Ego te Amo." Barbara didn't have a chance to say "goodbye" to all her friends, siblings and her children. If she had, her last message would certainly have been, "I love you."
Cremation will take place at Garden City Funeral Home and a memorial service will be held at Missoula Manor at a later date.
1932 - 2012
Beloved mother and caring friend to many people in Missoula and Great Falls, Barbara Jean Arlington passed away from us in the early morning of May 25, 2012.
She was preceded in death by her husbands Oliver W. Arlington and Stanley Edward Strom.
Barbara was born in the small town of Harmon, Ill., on Nov. 29, 1932, to Inez and Robert Thrasher. She was the youngest sister in a family of two brothers, Robert and William Thrasher and four older sisters, Lois, Mary, Doris and Valeria. In high school she was active in school plays, rollerskating, and dancing. After graduating from Amboy High School in 1951, Barb moved to Omaha, Neb., and briefly pursued training in the airlines industry.
Later she met and married Stanley E. Strom of Minneapolis. After the birth of two children, Sally J. Strom and Richard S.Strom, Barbara remained in Omaha while her husband was stationed in Japan with the U.S. Air Force. In 1959, Stanley Strom and Barbara were reunited in Great Falls.
In February 1964, Barbara gave birth to a second daughter, Cynthia Marie Strom. After Cynthia began kindergarten, Barbara decided to pursue a career outside the home. She worked for the American Red Cross for the next 25 years calling donors and volunteers.
Over the years her work evolved from using Roll-a-Dex cards to rudimentary computers and then to more advanced computers. She loved her work and took pride in her growing skills and efficiency. One of the high points of her career with the Red Cross was a trip she took to Washington, D.C., for more training. She toured the Capitol, museums and historic landmarks, bringing back many happy stories.
Unfortunately, after the AIDs epidemic of the 1980s, work was downsized at the Red Cross and Barbara took an early retirement. She kept in contact with all her friends at the Red Cross through weekly lunches and monthly meetings of the "Has-Been Club." After retirement Barbara continued a second career as an Avon lady with a large territory on the northwest side of Great Falls. Her customers were also her friends; and all her friends were sorry to see her leave Great Falls.
In 2010, Barbara decided to move to Missoula to be closer to her daughter and son. She moved into the Missoula Manor and quickly made many new friends. She enjoyed learning new card games, playing bingo and joining in fundraisers for the Manor. Barb lead a full and active life until a recent hospitalization for back surgery. Her death was quite unexpected and sudden.
Barbara said she was not a very good student in high school. Yet she claimed to know one phrase from her Latin class, repeating it many times to her children: "Ego te Amo." Barbara didn't have a chance to say "goodbye" to all her friends, siblings and her children. If she had, her last message would certainly have been, "I love you."
Cremation will take place at Garden City Funeral Home and a memorial service will be held at Missoula Manor at a later date.
Barbara Jean "Barb" Thrasher Strom Arlington
1932 - 2012
Beloved mother and caring friend to many people in Missoula and Great Falls, Barbara Jean Arlington passed away from us in the early morning of May 25, 2012.
She was preceded in death by her husbands Oliver W. Arlington and Stanley Edward Strom.
Barbara was born in the small town of Harmon, Ill., on Nov. 29, 1932, to Inez and Robert Thrasher. She was the youngest sister in a family of two brothers, Robert and William Thrasher and four older sisters, Lois, Mary, Doris and Valeria. In high school she was active in school plays, rollerskating, and dancing. After graduating from Amboy High School in 1951, Barb moved to Omaha, Neb., and briefly pursued training in the airlines industry.
Later she met and married Stanley E. Strom of Minneapolis. After the birth of two children, Sally J. Strom and Richard S.Strom, Barbara remained in Omaha while her husband was stationed in Japan with the U.S. Air Force. In 1959, Stanley Strom and Barbara were reunited in Great Falls.
In February 1964, Barbara gave birth to a second daughter, Cynthia Marie Strom. After Cynthia began kindergarten, Barbara decided to pursue a career outside the home. She worked for the American Red Cross for the next 25 years calling donors and volunteers.
Over the years her work evolved from using Roll-a-Dex cards to rudimentary computers and then to more advanced computers. She loved her work and took pride in her growing skills and efficiency. One of the high points of her career with the Red Cross was a trip she took to Washington, D.C., for more training. She toured the Capitol, museums and historic landmarks, bringing back many happy stories.
Unfortunately, after the AIDs epidemic of the 1980s, work was downsized at the Red Cross and Barbara took an early retirement. She kept in contact with all her friends at the Red Cross through weekly lunches and monthly meetings of the "Has-Been Club." After retirement Barbara continued a second career as an Avon lady with a large territory on the northwest side of Great Falls. Her customers were also her friends; and all her friends were sorry to see her leave Great Falls.
In 2010, Barbara decided to move to Missoula to be closer to her daughter and son. She moved into the Missoula Manor and quickly made many new friends. She enjoyed learning new card games, playing bingo and joining in fundraisers for the Manor. Barb lead a full and active life until a recent hospitalization for back surgery. Her death was quite unexpected and sudden.
Barbara said she was not a very good student in high school. Yet she claimed to know one phrase from her Latin class, repeating it many times to her children: "Ego te Amo." Barbara didn't have a chance to say "goodbye" to all her friends, siblings and her children. If she had, her last message would certainly have been, "I love you."
Cremation will take place at Garden City Funeral Home and a memorial service will be held at Missoula Manor at a later date.
1932 - 2012
Beloved mother and caring friend to many people in Missoula and Great Falls, Barbara Jean Arlington passed away from us in the early morning of May 25, 2012.
She was preceded in death by her husbands Oliver W. Arlington and Stanley Edward Strom.
Barbara was born in the small town of Harmon, Ill., on Nov. 29, 1932, to Inez and Robert Thrasher. She was the youngest sister in a family of two brothers, Robert and William Thrasher and four older sisters, Lois, Mary, Doris and Valeria. In high school she was active in school plays, rollerskating, and dancing. After graduating from Amboy High School in 1951, Barb moved to Omaha, Neb., and briefly pursued training in the airlines industry.
Later she met and married Stanley E. Strom of Minneapolis. After the birth of two children, Sally J. Strom and Richard S.Strom, Barbara remained in Omaha while her husband was stationed in Japan with the U.S. Air Force. In 1959, Stanley Strom and Barbara were reunited in Great Falls.
In February 1964, Barbara gave birth to a second daughter, Cynthia Marie Strom. After Cynthia began kindergarten, Barbara decided to pursue a career outside the home. She worked for the American Red Cross for the next 25 years calling donors and volunteers.
Over the years her work evolved from using Roll-a-Dex cards to rudimentary computers and then to more advanced computers. She loved her work and took pride in her growing skills and efficiency. One of the high points of her career with the Red Cross was a trip she took to Washington, D.C., for more training. She toured the Capitol, museums and historic landmarks, bringing back many happy stories.
Unfortunately, after the AIDs epidemic of the 1980s, work was downsized at the Red Cross and Barbara took an early retirement. She kept in contact with all her friends at the Red Cross through weekly lunches and monthly meetings of the "Has-Been Club." After retirement Barbara continued a second career as an Avon lady with a large territory on the northwest side of Great Falls. Her customers were also her friends; and all her friends were sorry to see her leave Great Falls.
In 2010, Barbara decided to move to Missoula to be closer to her daughter and son. She moved into the Missoula Manor and quickly made many new friends. She enjoyed learning new card games, playing bingo and joining in fundraisers for the Manor. Barb lead a full and active life until a recent hospitalization for back surgery. Her death was quite unexpected and sudden.
Barbara said she was not a very good student in high school. Yet she claimed to know one phrase from her Latin class, repeating it many times to her children: "Ego te Amo." Barbara didn't have a chance to say "goodbye" to all her friends, siblings and her children. If she had, her last message would certainly have been, "I love you."
Cremation will take place at Garden City Funeral Home and a memorial service will be held at Missoula Manor at a later date.
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