Arlene P. Strong

Arlene P. Strong
Merrill, MI
Beloved daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend went to be with her Lord on Wednesday, November 10, 2021. Arlene was born September 16, 1933 in Richland, MI to the late Milo H. Holroyd and Emma M. Bigelow. Despite hardships in her childhood, Arlene went on to build a beautiful life for herself and her family. She was married on September 8, 1954 in Angola, Indiana to her husband, Robert L. Strong, Sr. They shared nearly 67 years of marriage and raised five wonderful children, Diane, Keith, Cindy, Jacqueline and Bob Jr., on their farm property in Merrill, MI. Arlene was a woman of strong convictions and was determined in every aspect of her life. She loved the Lord and had a strong sense of justice. She stood for what was right and good and gave voice to the timid. Her opinions were strong, but they were all rooted in love. Arlene was a lifetime member of Merrill Congregational Christian Church, the Eastern Stars and a supporter of many other community endeavors. Arlene was always eager to better herself and was committed to life-long learning. If she lacked knowledge, she sought it out through classes, courses, manuals or simply by getting her hands dirty. She had a diverse set of talents and abilities. She could bake a wedding cake in the morning and tear apart and rebuild an engine in the afternoon. She exemplified, Proverbs 31:27, “She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.” She was the family baker, carpenter, mechanic, seamstress and so much more. Arlene was blessed with 11 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and one more on the way. She ambitiously managed her and Bob’s Saginaw News paper route for nearly 20 years and worked well into her 70’s. She was a planner, a saver and operated with the mentality of “waste not, want not”. Her favorite song was, “One Day at a time” and even in her last years on earth she embraced that idea of trusting the Lord daily and taking things one day at a time.
Surviving are her children; Diane Merton, Keith (Shelley) Strong, Jacqueline Scribner and Robert Strong Jr.; grandchildren, Jennifer (Tim) Neitzke, Jocelyn (Eric) Davis, Pamela (Aaron) Hales, Marie (Steve) Maiorana, Nickolis Strong, Betsy (Paul Rigda) Strong, Emmalee (Josiah) Amthor, Kimberlee (Zach Inman) Scribner, Vincent (Nicole) Strong and Hannah (Sam) Worley; great grandchildren, Justyce Hines, Ava Davis, Samantha, Katelyn and Andrew Hales, Connor, Liam and Nova Strong, Isaac and Reece Amthor, Penelope Scribner, Genevieve and Colette Maiorana, Paul Rigda IV and Mia Worley; sister, Elnora Lumbard; sisters-in-law, Barb Strong and Dorothy Tank.
Besides her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her daughter, Cindy Welke, son-in-law, Fred Scribner, grandson, Benjamin Welke, siblings, Thomas, Delbert, Wilbur, Milo II, Kenneth and Bob, sisters, Nellie, Mable, Edith, LaVon, Myrtle, Lillian and Betty.
Following Arlene’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A private memorial for family will take place at Merrill Congregational Church. www.casefuneralhome.com