Arlyn Haggard

Our sweet Mom, Grandma, sister, aunt, and friend, Arlyn Haggard, 91 passed away at her place of residence peacefully with family by her side. She was beloved for her smile, kind heart, generosity, sense of humor and her strong faith.

Arlyn was born on April 18, 1931 in Basalt, Idaho to Frank Vernon Christensen and Pearl Amelia (Olsen) Christensen.

She attended grade school in Basalt and graduated from Firth High School. She was active in many of the school programs throughout high school including Glee, chorus, FHA, pep club, Class vice president, Student body vice president, twirler, drum majorette and student counsel.

As a young girl she worked hard alongside her parents and two brothers on their family farm. She was given many chores on the farm. Gathering and washing the eggs from over 200 chickens. Which they sold for income to a creamery in Idaho Falls, weekly. Another chore was thinning, hoeing, and topping beets, cutting potatoes to plant, and then harvesting them in the fall, all by hand. Bringing the cows in from pasture each morning and night to be milked. And many others. She not only worked hard, but she played hard too. Ice skating, roller skating, swimming in the Blackfoot canal, horseback riding, square dancing, playing cards, games of all kinds, picnics and going to the movies at the Melba theater in Firth. Following high school, she worked at Bank of Eastern Idaho as an IBM operator.

In July 1950 she married Dewaine Haggard in the Idaho Falls temple. Together they had five children: Terry, Claine, DeLon, Lynette and Kelley. They lived in Rose, Basalt and then to Firth which became their long-time place of residence. Later she was divorced.

She was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Saints. She served in many callings including a few, Cub Scouts, primary and relief society and at the LDS temple in various capacities.

She worked for 37 years at the A.W. Johnson Firth elementary as a teacher’s aide, school librarian and then in the foster grandparent program. After many years of being on the farm, she retired in 2006 and moved to a new home in Idaho Falls.

She was a member of the Firth Red-Hot taters, also known as the red hat ladies. All the ladies were outgoing, fun-loving, and caring. They made time for service activities and fundraisers. They gathered for food, fun, and girl talk. She also was involved in her family home evening groups in Idaho Falls, doing much the same. Hosting luncheons, sharing stories, playing games, and eating out.

She had a love for gorgeous flowers and found joy in beautifying her yard with them each year. She took pride in her vegetable gardens as well. Planting, sowing and the bounteous rewards of harvest from her hard work. She played the piano and loved to sing. All the friends she made during her lifetime were not just friends, but lifelong friends. She never met a stranger.

She is preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, LVern and Val Christensen.

She is survived by her children and grandchildren, and great grandchildren that she loved dearly: Terry Haggard, Claine Haggard (Cathy), DeLon Haggard (Becky), Lynette Scott and Kelley Haggard (Rebecca); as well as her 12 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 P.M. Saturday, February 11, 2023 at Nalder Funeral Home. The family will meet with friends Saturday morning from 11:00 A.M. till 11:45 A.M. at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Basalt Cemetery.

Those who would like to participate in the funeral service remotely are invited to view the service on a live broadcast on the Nalder Funeral Home Facebook page.

*