Arlene Martin Klingler, 76, of Rexburg, our beloved mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt peacefully passed away on January 12, 2012, in the comfort of her home. She was surrounded by her family who adore her.

She was born in Salt Lake City on April 15, 1935 to Dale and Elinor Young Martin. She enjoyed a lively and adventurous childhood. As a young girl, Arlene was known for her Shirley Temple curls and her loving nature. From her earliest years, Arlene was an example to her family of faithfulness and loving kindness. Her family moved to Richland, WA where she graduated from Columbia High School as student body vice president. Arlene was the oldest of five children and her brothers and sisters admired and looked up to her throughout her life.

Arlene attended Brigham Young University. When she was 18 years old, she met Dell Klingler, a handsome young man who swept her off her feet and became her best friend. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on February 18, 1955 and are eternal sweethearts. They chose to raise their seven children in Dell's hometown of Rexburg.

Arlene devoted herself to her family and she created a home that was a magical place and central to her family's comings and goings. Her husband and children knew they were her pride and joy. Their home was the hub of activity for her children from the time they were small to the present, bringing their own children and grandchildren there for fun and games, good food, and most of all, love. She greeted each family member and guest with true, genuine excitement. She had a zest for life and lived it to the fullest every day; she had an enormous love for her family and a very tender spot for her grandchildren, whom she adored.
Arlene was devoted to the gospel of Jesus Christ and taught her children to follow the Savior. She was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She served faithfully in all the auxiliaries of the church at both the ward and stake level. Arlene and Dell loved serving three missions together: Nauvoo, IL from 1995 to 1996, the LDS Church Missionary Department in Salt Lake City from 1997 to 1999, and as Rexburg Region Church Service Mission Coordinators from 2000 to 2002. She was a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. She loved serving as a coordinator in the Rexburg Idaho Temple until the time of her death.

She was preceded in death by her father, Dale, and her husband, Dell.

She is survived by their seven children, Ron (Nita) Klingler of Rexburg, Linda (Kerry) Ward of Rexburg, Sherri (Alban) Hatch of Iona, Kerry (Sharon) Klingler of Idaho Falls, Kathy (Daren) Bitter of Terreton, Colleen (Derek) Wadsworth of Rexburg and Chiki Moore of Albuquerque, NM; 35 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; her mother, Elinor Martin of Rexburg, her siblings Jerry (Lee) Martin of Richland, WA, Sherrie (Bob) Etherington of Sandy, UT, David Martin of Pleasant Grove, UT, and Pam (Gary) Baird of Rexburg.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 16, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. in the Rexburg Center Stake Center located at 590 Summerwood in Rexburg, conducted by Bishop Derek Wadsworth. Arlene's family will receive friends from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Sunday, January 15 at Flamm Funeral Home and from 10:00-10:45 a.m. on Monday at the Stake Center prior to the service. Interment will be at the Rexburg Cemetery. Condolences can be sent online at www.flammfh.com.