ARLENE MARIE (DuBOIS) KELLER-WILSON

Arlene Marie (DuBois) Keller-Wilson

Arlene was born October 3, 1933 at the family home in Agra Kansas, to Walter and Laural (Sample) DuBois.

In 1943, at the age of 10, she traveled with her family to Idaho where they would make their home on Amity Road in Nampa.  Along with her sisters, Arlene attended Lakeview, Central, and Nampa High School. She played the french horn in the junior high and high school bands, and participated in drama, graduating in 1951.

After high school Arlene took a job working at Montgomery Ward. A handsome young worker from Consumer Market often came to the store to drink from the water fountain and Arlene had her eye on him. It wasn't long before they were sharing a meal at The Honker Cafe. That young man's name was Truman Len, (Kelly), Keller and the two of them were married on May 3,1952 at the home of her parents. Kelly and Arlene made their home in a small duplex in Nampa, and on July 23, 1953, their first daughter, Debbie, was born. Shortly thereafter they moved to Boise, where their second daughter, Kathy, joined them on May 16, 1955. A son, Brian, was born on May 22, 1961 and a second son, Ron, joined his three siblings on November 8, 1964.

Arlene was a homemaker and a loving stay-at-home mom when her kids were growing up. The word of her love for children of all ages spread and soon she was also caring for babies, toddlers, and after-school kids of neighbors and friends.  After both Debbie and Kathy were married, a job change for Kelly took the remaining four to Salt Lake City in 1980. At first lonely for her friends and family, never having lived away from them, Arlene soon found employment and new friends at a local Optometry Dispensary.

A second move, this time to Hermitage Tennessee, in 1982 gave Arlene the opportunity to be a nanny to more children including her dear Bradley. Ron returned to Idaho after his graduation in 1983 and with Kelly's health declining, he, Arlene and Brian all returned a few years later.

Back in Boise, Kelly found employment with Grasmick Produce while Arlene became the nanny to her precious Mikaela and Leah.

On July 28 1993 Kelly lost his life and Arlene lost the first love of hers.

Lonely and all alone, Arlene began traveling to Washington State, visiting with her sister and brother in law. She was reintroduced to a family friend who had actually had his eye on her many years prior, at a dance. Soon she was calling her children to let them know that she had found a new love and companion, Mr. Floyd R. Wilson.

After a whirlwind few months of dating, motorcycle riding, (something she never thought she would ever do), family breakfasts and trips to the ocean, Arlene said "I do" and became Floyd's loving wife and forever companion on July 23, 1994, at the home of friends in Auburn, Washington.

With that union, Arlene added not only eleven new brothers and sisters, and a loving mother, but 3 wonderful children, their spouses and their children to her list of those she loved. So many new things were in store for Arlene because just around the corner was Floyd's retirement.

The two of them purchased a 5th wheel and lived in it together for six months, Oust to make certain they could do it), and on November 1st 1997, the morning after Floyd's Retirement Party, they set out together for 1O of the best years of both of their lives. They traveled from the Pacific to the Atlantic, from the northern border to the southern border, stopping to visit family and friends and to see things and places they had both only imagined existed. Owning five travel vessels through the years, their travels led Arlene and Floyd to find some of their favorite places like Tucson, Arizona, The Texas Hill Country, Tombstone, Arizona, and the beautiful Jekyll Island in Georgia places in the state of Georgia. Arlene and Floyd cherished each and every day on the road together. They passed over their much loved Tetons, and went camping in their favorite places, Wallowa and Phillip Lakes, both in Oregon. They laughed and they loved, and they shared their wonderful travel stories with us all. They met some amazing people during those years who were doing the same thing and many became good friends, who are still in contact today. Arlene often called or sent a card, describing the places and things they were seeing, and those of us back home would yearn to see those places for ourselves. You could say that for all of those ten years, many of us lived vicariously through the stories she and Floyd told in their calls, their emails, and their visits home.

In 2007 though, the full-time travel ended as Arlene, having had knee surgery, began having trouble negotiating the steps into the RV. At that time she was also diagnosed with renal failure and together she and Floyd decided that with him to help her, they could manage her peritoneal dialysis at home. It was then that they became full-time home owners and Floyd, who cherished Arlene like precious gold, became her companion-caregive,r showing us all that true love has no limits.

From building sheds and baking for the holidays, (or just for fun), to planting a garden and the many beautiful flowers, which Arlene so enjoyed, the two of them busied themselves as homeowners, still traveling periodically, as Arlene's health permitted, but now taking shorter trips and returning to their home in Emmett.They found their "church family" and until she could no longer do so, Arlene loved to attend Sunday services and listen to God's Word.

As the years passed, Arlene's health deteriorated, a bit at a time. Suddenly she was spending many sleepless nights in pain, or alternately spending a few days in the hospital. She began falling in early 2019 but still, she dealt with whatever came her way in a positive and graceful manner. She maintained her loving, caring spirit, and even if she was suffering, she'd ask how YOU were feeling. She struggled through physical therapy and even finally made it up the steps into the trailer, but alas her strength failed her. and she would never be able to step inside again.

Arlene never imposed on anyone, not her children, or her friends, or others close to her. Floyd saw to her every need with love and tenderness. He never faltered and remained strong as the care-giver for this woman he loved so deeply.

Arlene's passion in life was her family and she always sacrificed anything to support them. She loved having visitors, the ones who came when they could, the ones who brought babies, (or dogs she was fond of), the ones who came to sit and chat, like her loving friend Joyce Baird, who, even with her own busy life, came by almost daily. She appreciated her visits from Pastor Bill and his wife Jan, Lilly, and Vickie who would come by too, when Floyd just needed to run a quick errand.

She loved talking on the phone, and even when she could not socialize by getting out and going places due to her mobility issues, Arlene enjoyed all of those conversations she had with family and friends on her phone. The telephone was her lifeline. We all know that her sister Carolyn is going to truly miss their daily phone calls. We're all going to miss that familiar laugh on the other end of the phone when we call too.

The past few months have been difficult ones for Arlene and for Floyd.The past month was especially unbearable and yet a blessing. Arlene had several hospitalizations and so much going on in her body and while she was a fighter, and she wanted to stay with us all, God finally saw that she was tired. His blessing upon all of us was the time he gave for us to come and sit, to just be with her, to hold her hand, or even to call. Time to let her know what a difference she had made in each of our lives, to tell her how we adored our relationship with her, to tell her how much we all loved her, and to let her know that together, we will be alright. That together, we will watch over Floyd, and that together, we will take care of one another, her husband, her children, her grand, great grand and great great grandchildren, her sisters, her brothers, her nieces and nephews, her cousins and her friends. We thank God for blessing us with that time.

Arlene left this earthly life from the comfort of her home, to begin her heavenly life, on Wednesday, August 21st, 2019. She was surrounded by family and her last words on earth were "I Love You," which is a true testament to the love she shared with all of us who knew her. She was a blessing from God and her life was an example to all of us that we should treasure each moment we have. We will all remember her beautiful smile, her infectious laugh and her loving hugs and kisses.

She is gone from here. but she will live on in all of our hearts forever and ever. Until we meet again sweet angel, fly high...

Arlene is survived by her loving husband of 25 years: Floyd R. Wilson;  7 children: daughter Debbie, (Deb) Wilper (Jim), daughter Kathy Vogt (Gene), son Brian Keller, son Ron Keller, (Michelle) , daughter Lori Wilson-Shay (Steve), son Darrel Wilson (Cathy), daughter Carol Wilson-Gleason (Devon);  15 grandchildren: John Wilper (Kim), Chris Wilper (Debra), Brook Vogt, Chalice Vogt-Silflow (Jason), Sky Vogt (Angela), Ariel Vogt-Nielsen (Con), Cinda Schraufnagel-Harrington (Keith), Christopher Keller, Colton Keller, Payton Keller, Erin Shay-Promes (Michael), Laurie Wilson, Meghan Holford, Tyler Holford, and Brandon Scudder;  19 Great Grandchildren: Mosley, Simon, Leia, Lili, Lexi, Luke, Hadley, Griffin, Allira, Annabel, Trey, Marcus, Leif, Stefan, Maxwell, Landon, Beckham, Roland, Kurt.; 1 Great Great Grandchild, Silas;  1 Sister, Carolyn DuBois-Hawkins (Edgar) and numerous Sisters in Law, Brothers in Law, Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and Friends

She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Laural (Sample) DuBois, husband Truman (Kelly) Keller, sister Betty McClure, brothers-in law William (Bill), Davison and Leo McClure, nephews Timothy Davison and Russell McClure, and most recently by her beloved granddaughter, Madeleine (Maddie) Keller.

The family wishes to extend their deepest appreciation to all of the family and friends who stood beside us and held us up the past few months. We would also like to thank Mom's wonderful medical team, Dr. Thomas Pintar, Bradi and the staff at Davita in Boise Idaho, Dr. Michael Mallea, Dr. Alex Johnson, Dr. Cameron Allen, Dr. Jennifer Petrie, Dr. Tina McGuffey, the nurses and staff at St. Alphonsus Hospital North Tower, 5th Floor Boise, Idaho, the nurses and staff as well as Mom's dear friend Robyn, at Valor Health Hospital in Emmett, ID and Heart and Home Hospice in Emmett, ID.

Please join us in a celebration of life for Arlene, Friday, August 30th, 11:00 am, at Grace Baptist Church, 861 Longview Drive, Emmett, ID 83617.  Lunch will be served following the celebration.  Interment will be at Canyon Hill Cemetery, Caldwell, Idaho at 3:00 PM

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