Rowena Marie Arnold
Rowena Marie Arnold passed on to be with the Lord on April 19, 2025, at her home in Libby Montana, with loved ones by her side.
She was born to Esley Donohue and Ila Hankins on Aug. 9, 1940, in Helena, Montana. Her early life was spent with her grandparents, Abner and Zola Hankins, in Whitefish, Montana, where she attended the Whitefish school system through the eighth grade.
She has a sister Marella Dubuque (Dave). She married her first husband, Edwin Lenz (deceased 1977) and had six children: Jewel West (Vern Little), Tracy Lenz, Patrick Lenz (deceased 1991), Brenda Sagmiller (John), Ruby Beach (Randy), Cindy Powell (Mark). Rowena has 12 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; and many friends.
Rowena met her current husband, Robert Arnold, through bowling. They were married on May 19, 1984, and lived in Columbia Falls, Montana. She was an adventurous woman as she followed her husband Robert when he joined the Air Force in 1986.
She drove the Alaskan Highway in the winter five separate times as she moved from duty station to duty station. Her 1st duty station was at Eielson AFB, AK. After 3 years, they transferred to Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, for eight years and then back to North Pole, Alaska, where she enjoyed fishing for sport rather than as in her earlier years when she commercially fished, being one of a few women to operate her own salmon netting boat while with her first husband.
Over the years, Rowena bowled in several leagues where she made great friends. In 2013, she moved to Omak, Washington, again making new friends through bowling and being closer to family.
In 2023, she bought a home in Libby, Montana. She enjoyed knitting and sewing, and being outdoors through fishing, hunting, camping and sometimes just a leisurely drive through the woods. She enjoyed her camping and kayaking during her annual camping trip with her family and friends at Hungry Horse Reservoir.
There will be a celebration of life for Rowena at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, at the Doris Creek Campground, Hungry Horse, Montana spot 9.
Arrangements are under the care of Schnackenberg Funeral Home of Libby, Montana. Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.schnackenbergfh.com.