Arlene was born November 21, 1928, at Sturgis, SD, to Albert J. and Clyde A. (Timmons) Stage. She was raised near Red Owl where she attended Stranger grade school. She graduated from Faith High School in 1948.

Arlene married Orville Kolbu at Sturgis on October 15, 1948. The couple made their home on the Kolbu family ranch until 1993 when they moved to Sturgis.

Arlene's life surrounded the family ranch for many years. She enjoyed raising sheep, ranching, hunting, grandkids, and the Red Owl community.
She wrote the "Red Owl News" for the Sturgis   Tribune. She enjoyed having her own column "Through the Knothole" which enlightened people to all the joys and sadness of ranch life.

Arlene LaVonne Kolbu, 83, Sturgis and formerly of Red Owl, died Thursday, October 25, 2012, at her home in Sturgis.

Survivors include her daughters, Janet (Dan) Gilger, Belle Fourche, Patricia (Dave) Reinert, Gillette, WY, and Kaye (Dean) Andrews, Red Owl, SD; one sister, Ardis (Bob) Smiley, Sturgis; seven grandchildren, Dawn (Stephen) Toney, DeAnne (Matt) Jensen, Brad (Beca) Andrews, Randi (Shane) Delbridge, Jeff (Elise) Reinert, Lance Reinert, and Dae Lynn (Brian) Gilger; eight greatgrandchildren, Susannah Toney, Connor and Dillon Delbridge, Eli and Brynn Jensen, Isabella and Elizabeth Reinert, and Coy Andrews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Orville; infant son, Orville "Albert"; parents, Albert and Clyde; brother, Bones Ashton; and sister, Alice Jensen.

A memorial has been established to the Red Owl Hall.

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