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Arlene was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Charles and Emma Nation on December 4, 1939, along with her twin sister Darlene. Arlene went to elementary and junior high in Del City and graduated from Del City High School in 1958. She attended Oklahoma University and then transferred to Blackwood Business School and graduated in 1960. She then went to work at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City as a civilian secretary. During this time, she met Harvey Yoakum and they were married on February 17, 1962, and continued to live and work in Del City. In 1966 Harvey was drafted in the army and they moved to Tacoma, Washington. Arlene continued her civil service by continuing to be a civilian secretary for the Army at Tacoma. After Harvey was honorably discharged from the army in 1968, they returned to Oklahoma City for a brief time and then made their way to Midland, Texas. They welcomed a son, Jim in December of 1968. While in Midland Arlene was active in the Methodist Church and the Midland Garden Club. The family moved 3 times between 1969 and 1972 in Texas and then made their way to Longmont, Colorado. There in May of 1973 they welcomed a daughter, Kim and their family was now complete. Arlene quickly joined in the community by becoming a member of the United Methodist Church, teaching Sunday School and was asked to join several different church organizations. She joined the Garden Club, St. Vrain Historical Society, Sunshine Club, Soroptimist International Club of Longmont, and Longmont Ladies Bowling League. In 1975 the family purchased a local tire and gas company, and Arlene worked part-time while continuing to raise two small children. In 1980 when both kids were in school full time, Arlene worked at the tire shop full time as an accountant. In 1987 Harvey and Arlene ended their marriage and in 1989 Arlene sold the business. She then took a job at the Leanin Tree Greeting Card Company in Gunbarrel, Colorado in the financial group. Arlene worked at Leanin Tree until her retirement in 2016. While there she was recognized several times for her outstanding contributions and accomplishments. She made lifelong friendships with the wonderful people she worked with and enjoyed her time there so very much. She even delayed her retirement for two years at the urging of her co workers and the CFO because they did not want to see her go. After her retirement she enjoyed traveling with her twin sister Darlene and her husband Phil. They went on many adventures together to places near and far, always had fun. She was very involved with her grandchildren’s activities, going to ball games and school events. She loved her family with all her heart. In the summer of 2022 Kim’s family relocated to Owasso, Oklahoma and Arlene went with them. In a very short time after their arrival in Owasso Arlene had the onset of dementia. It progressed quickly and she moved to the Baptist Village of Owasso in the fall of 2022. Even though her dementia was progressing rapidly she continued to make friends and became a favorite of the wonderful staff there. They all took great care of Arlene to the last day.


She is preceded in death by her parents: Charles and Emma Nation, and her younger sister Datha Nation
She is survived by: Son, Jim and wife Carrie of Berthoud, CO. Daughter Kim and husband Mark of Owasso, OK., Grandson Reid of Ft. Morgan, CO., Granddaughter Brooke of Owasso, OK., Sister Darlene and husband Phil of Albuquerque, NM., Niece Christine and husband Bill of Albuquerque, NM., Niece Lori and husband Todd of Amelia Island, Florida.

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