Arlene Louise Parker
December 15, 1928-April 11, 2026

Arlene Louise Barr was born December 15, 1928 in Libby, Montana and went to be with the Lord on April 11, 2026. She was 97 years old.

Mom was the second of five children born to Arthur and Grace Barr in Libby, a small town of 2,000 people located in northwestern Montana. Mom fondly recalled as a young girl spending warm summer nights under the corner streetlight in their South Libby neighborhood visiting with the other kids until the parents would call them home. Mom and her older sister Rosella shared a detached bedroom a few steps from the main house. She graduated from Libby Senior High School in June 1947 and married our dad, Louis Parker September 16, 1947. She was 18 and he 19. In a little over three years they welcomed daughter Rhonda and sons David and Kent.

Like many men in Libby, Dad worked in the local lumber mill. He also built several houses, including two the family lived in while in Montana. In 1963 Dad got an offer for a carpentry job in Humboldt County, California. The family packed up and moved to Eureka. After the long winters in Montana, Mom could not believe that she could lay in the sun in December. The next year brought the 1964 flood.

It was a treat to watch Mom and Dad dance. They were very accomplished dancers and loved the Jitterbug! We had the first television in our neighborhood growing up in Libby and Mom would dance in front of the TV while we tried to watch cartoons.

Mom’s real-life career was as a grocery store checker. She started at Three Corners Market, near the family home on the old Arcata Road. Then there was a stint at Humboldt Hill Market, and finally many years at Murphy’s Market in Sunny Brae. Many customers became friends over the years and Mom had many fond memories of seeing these customers on a regular basis.

Dad died in 1997 at age 68 just a few months shy of their 50th wedding anniversary. So mom was a widow for almost 30 years. She lived for a while in one of the units of a four-plex they had purchased in the 1970s in Arcata then bought a lovely home in Myrtletown. She loved her home and took care of it on her own until she was well past 90. Mom would spend her time reading the Bible or a Christian book, or working a Times-Standard crossword puzzle. Her faith was central to her life and she was a member of Bethel Church in Eureka for many years. She enjoyed her weekly meetings with the Prime Timers Christian group and annual trips with the group to Sacramento to attend the Singing Christmas Tree. Mom was very involved helping to raise her grand children and great grand children. She loved her family dearly and wanted to be sure that they accepted the Lord and would join her in heaven. She would always put others needs before her own because that was just the way she was.

For many years Mom would travel with her two sisters, Rosella and Marlys, to spend the winter months in Palm Springs. They called themselves “The Golden Girls”! Mom and her sisters always looked forward to this special time.

Mom is survived by her daughter Rhonda Rael; son David Parker and his wife Carol; and son Kent Parker and his wife Sheila. Her grandchildren are Darren Brittain, Chad Brittain, Angela Pialorsi, Jennifer McCarthy, Jeffrey Parker, Ramona Parker, Marcia Parker and Kendra Parker.

Great-grandchildren are Macie Jelinek, Zackery Brittain, Tanner Brittain, Dayna Naish, Shelby Naish, Payton McCarthy, Kayla McCarthy, Madeline Parker, Cassidy Parker, Quinn Parker and Bo Sanderson. Great-great-grandchildren are Hunter Brittain, Caleb Chandler, Ava Chandler, Kiana Jelinek, Addillyn Brittain and Blakely Brittain.

She was preceded in death by her husband Louis; parents Arthur and Grace Barr; sisters Rosella Lyon and Marlys Brown; brothers Phillip Barr and Lester Barr; grandson Gino Pialorsi; and son-in-law Greg Rael.

The family is so grateful for the compassionate care from the staff at Frye’s Care Home for the last 3 1/2 years. Thank you so much for keeping mom where she felt most comfortable. A special thank you to Mom’s friend Mary, who was a real blessing.

A private burial was held at Ocean View Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will take place at 11:30 a.m., Saturday May 23 at Lifehouse Humboldt, 2734 Hubbard Lane in Eureka. Please join us for a reception in the adjoining church cafe after the celebration of life.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Hospice of Humboldt whose care was exceptional in mom’s final days.

###

The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Arlene Parker’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.