Arlene Foley

Arlene Foley, age 91, of Plainview, Nebraska, and formerly of Holyoke, died surrounded by her family Feb. 25, 2017, at Plainview Manor. Arlene was born Jan. 30, 1926, to Lyle and Adele Derby on their farm in Phillips County. She was welcomed home by her big sister, Myrnae. Later a brother, Robert, and a sister, Regina, joined the family.
    Arlene loved growing up on the farm with pet kittens and puppies. She helped gather eggs, which she hated, and helped in her mother’s big garden. When she was in the fifth grade, her family lost their farm during the Dust Bowl days, so the family moved to her grandparents’ farm just down the road. It became known as the Derby Farm.
    Arlene attended Fairy Dell Country School District #51 during her grade school years. The one-room schoolhouse was also where her parents had attended. When it came time to go to high school, Arlene stayed with an aunt in Julesburg during the week and went home on the weekends. She graduated from Julesburg High School in May of 1944.
    After graduation, Arlene attended Denver Bible Institute, where she met Gorman Foley, the love of her life. They were married May 27, 1945, at Westwood First Baptist Church in Denver. To this union came a son, Dennis, who died shortly after birth, and three daughters, Sheryl, Becky and Debby. Arlene was a full-time wife and mother.
    Arlene also helped in every church they pastored, which took them to Colorado, Wyoming, Ohio, Kansas and Nebraska. She was always involved in the summer camps, Vacation Bible Schools, Sunday schools and sometimes even cleaned the church building itself. She also enjoyed collecting recipes and would share her talents for cooking and baking.
    In 1988, they moved to Holyoke to help care for her mother, Adele Derby. They were active in First Baptist Church. They moved again in August 2014 to O’Neill, Nebraska, to be close to their youngest daughter.
    Arlene is survived by her husband of 71 years, Gorman Foley of Plainview; three daughters, Sheryl Goossen and husband Andrew of Pryor, Oklahoma, Becky Woerner and husband Jim of Nelson, Nebraska, and Debby Thieszen and husband Elroy of O’Neill; eight grandchildren, Sandy May and husband Paul, Ann Goossen, Laura Hamil and husband Tony, Tori Ehlers and husband Davon, Jody Soen and husband Jason, Travis Thieszen, Jewel Thieszen and Troy Thieszen; five great-grandchildren; sister, Regina Rae of Charlottesville, Virginia; sister-in-law, J’Neanne Derby of Holyoke; and many nieces and nephews.
    Arlene was preceded in death by her parents; infant son, Dennis; grandson, Scott Goossen; sister, Myrnae Bridegan; brother, Robert Derby; and brothers-in-law, Joe Bridegan and Tom Rae.
    One of Arlene’s favorite Bible verses was Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
    Memorial services will be held Saturday, March 4, at 3:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Holyoke, with food and fellowship to follow.
    Biglin’s Mortuary in O’Neill is in charge of arrangements.