Arlene Reich

Arlene passed away peacefully early on the morning of Sept 13, 2010. After a valiant battle with cancer, she is at rest. Services will be held at 11:00 am Friday, September 17, 2010, at Lutheran Church of the Cross, Bismarck, with Rev. Donna Dohrmann officiating. Burial will be held at the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery, Mandan. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm Thursday, September 16, 2010, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a prayer service will begin at 7:00 pm. Born to Helen and Howard Christensen in Grant County, Elgin, ND, on January 26, 1944, she grew up on a small farm just west of Raleigh, ND. She graduated Flasher High School with distinction in 1962 and was recognized by the faculty as “Outstanding Student.” Just one year previously, in 1961, she was named “Miss Grant County,” which allowed her to go to compete in the Miss North Dakota pageant. She also attended college, earning credits at both Dickinson State, and Bismarck State Colleges. During high school, she met Buell Reich of Elgin, whom she eventually married and settled in Bismarck ND. Any who knew her were well acquainted with her tireless drive, utterly selfless nature, quick wit, and soft smile. These hallmark personality traits were evident in all she did, both professionally and personally. She spent the greatest portion of her career working as a legal assistant for the law firm of Zuger & Bucklin, which later became Zuger, Kirmis, & Smith, from 1979 until she retired in 2003 to spend more time with her family. In her 24 years with the firm, she came to be known not only for her intelligence and hard work, but also for her fantastic sense of humor, and she will be greatly missed by everyone there. In more recent years, she worked part-time at St. Alexius Medical Center, bringing her hard-working, compassionate, style to the Radiology Department there. Arlene’s family was the greatest joy of her life. It was to them to whom she was most dedicated and of whom she was most proud. It is they who know of her fantastic cooking skills, special sense of humor, and generous, giving, nature, especially her grandchildren. She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Buell Reich, her son, Dr. Brent Reich of Billings, MT, and her daughter and son-in-law, attorney Kristin R. Willadsen and Anders Willadsen, of Yorktown, IN. She is also survived by four 4 grandchildren, Liv Claire Reich 6 1/2 of Billings, MT, and Kira Helene Willadsen 7, Landon Marius Willadsen 2 1/2 , and Nora Malia Willadsen 7 months, all of Yorktown, IN. Arlene is also survived by four 4 siblings, three 3 nieces, and three 3 nephews, three 3 great-nieces, and two 2 great nephews: Arlene’s older brother is Raymond Christensen, married to Sandra Jacobson Christensen; they have a son Kyle Christensen wife Shelly with two daughters, Taylor and Cassidy, and a daughter, Shari Christensen Sanders husband Patrick, with three children: Carly, Jake, and Ty. Arlene has two younger brothers, Robert Christensen and Brian Christensen, and one younger sister, Arlis Christensen Waltos, all three of whom Arlene nurtured from a very young age. Arlis and her husband Jerry, had four children, Jennifer, Andrea, Justin, and Brandon Waltos, in whose lives Arlene and Buell played a special grand-parent like role. Even during the difficult past three years, Arlene made time to share with friends, stay active in her church as a member of the altar guild and the faith and care committees. In addition, she even made scarves for other women affected by cancer. She was a hard-working and giving person to the very end, and she will be greatly missed by all whose lives she touched. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Lutheran Church of the Cross Building Fund.

Arlene Reich

January 26, 1944 - September 13, 2010