Arlene Catherine Welch

Arlene Catherine Petersen Welch, 85 Arriving 30 minutes before her twin brother Allen, Arlene Catherine was born to Walter and Ardis (Allen) Petersen on August 9, 1935. She was the only daughter as the twins were followed by two younger brothers, Donald and Toby. Arlene and her three brothers grew up in Missoula, in the family home which her father built, and still stands on Central Avenue. Her grandparents owned a cabin in Lincoln, Montana, where she, her brothers, and cousins spent their summers. After graduating from Missoula County High School, she married classmate James Welch on June 6, 1953. She and James would later move to Butte, along with her parents, twin brother and sister-in-law, to further their family bricklaying trade. Arlene would become a devoted mother of four, who loved to play tennis, was a regular bowler, and an avid gardener. She was a gifted baker and cook, making every meal from scratch, and rarely could be convinced to eat out. A master seamstress, she made her children's and grandchildren's clothes, costumes, and even prom dresses for her daughters. Arlene and James’ lifelong friends, Janice and Charlie Gilder, whom they met in high school, spent decades together in Butte, and raised their children together. After her husband's passing at the young age of forty-five, Arlene went to work selling cable tv packages to the patients at St. James Hospital, which she sold with her dear friend Mary Foley. The Bricklayers Union was lucky to have her as their secretary. She would later become a talented florist at Wilhelm's Flower Shoppe, blessing so many in Butte wedding bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages, and Mother’s Day flowers for over 16 years. Later in life, she returned to Missoula, reunited with her high school classmates, celebrated class reunions, and had weekly luncheons with her best friends from childhood. Arlene cherished her large and jovial family reunions with her brothers' families in Absorokee, "Fun" River, Priest Lake, West Yellowstone, and Lincoln. Our beloved mother, grandmother, aunt and friend, loved Montana, its wildlife, and especially the Ponderosa Pines in Lincoln. Most of all, Arlene adored her beloved family, and taught us many life lessons, to be resilient, kind, and generous. We will dearly miss our matriarch. Arlene was preceded in death by her parents, husband, twin brother, nephew Steve "Dutch", and great-grandson Tyler. She is survived by David (Lela Rodriguez) Welch, Lee Ann (Tom) Hall, Bonnie Welch, and Jim (Alison) Welch; grandchildren Jobyna McCarthy, Matthew Flink, Jami (Dakota) Pineda, Jocee Welch, Cash Welch, Gabriella Rodriguez, and DJ Rodriguez; great-grandsons Quinn Alewel, and Noah Rodriguez, due in August. Arlene is also survived by brothers and sisters-in-law, Donald "Bud" and LuAnn Petersen; Toby and Kate Petersen; sister-in-law Marcia Byers, and numerous nieces and nephews, and their beautiful families. Private family services will be held at a later date. Memorials can be made to Lady of the Rockies or Mariah’s Challenge in Butte.