Lorene Arko

LORENE AGNES STOCKER ARKO, 89

Passed quietly away on February 25, 2015 in her home of 63 years. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, role model, and friend to many.

Lorene was born in 1925 in Umbarger, Texas to Leopold Stocker and Sabina Christina Friemel. Lorene moved away from home to attend Catholic school, where she studied German, Latin and played the clarinet. She worked keeping house in order to live in town, traveling by bus on weekends to return home to her family on the farm. Lorene met Leopold Arko Jr. while he was serving in the United States Army and Lorene was attending Holy Family High School in Canute, OK. Lorene graduated from high school in 1945 and was the only member of her family to graduate from high school. Lorene married Leo July 26, 1945. In their 62 years of marriage, they raised 10 children.

In February 1952, Lorene and Leo made their home in the Moreno Valley. Both were devout members of Saint Mels Catholic Church of Eagle Nest. Lorene taught religious education, was a Eucharistic Minister, and assisted with cleaning and maintenance of the church and grounds. In 2003, Lorene received the Archbishops St. Francis of Assisi Award from the Most Reverend Michael Sheehan.

For many years Lorene worked at Eagle Nest School as head cook (the only cook) and custodian. Lorene provided home cooked meals for the students and staff as if she were cooking for her own family.

Lorene was instrumental in starting the Eagle Nest Senior Center. After retiring from the school, she cooked at the senior center for many years.

Lorene served the community in various organizations: Silver Spruce Club, Moreno Valley 4-H Leader, Boy Scouts of America, Cub Scout Den Mother, Foster Grandparent, Senior Companion, and Pregnancy Support Center, to name only a few.

Lorene participated many years in the Colfax County Fair with entries in sewing, canning, and gardening. Lorene and Leo were the 2005 Colfax County Fair and Rodeo Grand Marshals. Lorene received A Friend of 4-H award from New Mexico State University Certificate of Appreciation.

Lorene was very devoted to the farm and was an exceptional gardener; having one of the largest gardens in the Moreno Valley. Due to the short growing season in the Moreno Valley, Lorene always started seeds indoors and shared the seedlings and produce with family and friends. In her small greenhouse she produced bushels of tomatoes each year. Lorene milked cows and raised chickens, selling milk, eggs and butter well into her 80s.

Lorene was always willing to help others whenever and however she could; she will be greatly missed in the family and community.

Lorene is preceded in death by her parents, 2 brothers, 5 sisters, daughter Janet (Arko) Johnson, and husband of 62 years, Leo Arko Jr.

Leaving behind: sister Alice Stocker Flies of Mangum, OK; Children and spouses: Lorene Agnes (Arko) Gibson and husband Scott Gibson; Anna (Arko) Pabst and husband Dennis M. Pabst; Earnest Arko and wife Barbara Lebeck; Michael Arko; William Arko; Leopold Arko, III and wife Barbara (Sexton) Arko; Rita (Arko) Butts and husband Michael Butts; Nina Arko-Hay and husband Kenneth Rowlison, David Arko and wife Sharon Austin; Richard Johnson husband of Janet (Arko) Johnson as well as numerous grand-children, great grand-children, nieces, and nephews.

Visitation, Rosary and Funeral Mass were held on Monday, March 2, 2015, at St. Mels Catholic Church in Eagle Nest, NM.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Mels, 440 W. 18th St., Cimarron, NM 87714, Reference: CCD on behalf of Lorene Arko.