Obituary - Arlene Weller Kato

Arlene Weller Kato passed on into another world Sunday, March 3, 2024.

A vigil will be at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at O'Connor Memorial Chapel. A funeral liturgy will be at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, March 7, 2024, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. The rite of committal will be at noon Friday, March 8, 2024, at Calvary Cemetery in Havre.

She was born December 16, 1929, shortly after midnight following her twin brother who was born December 15, 1929. She grew up on a farm outside Wadena, Minnesota, and attended a one-room school, grades one through eight. She moved to Havre, Montana, in 1950, where she met George Kato, while both were working for FA Buttrey Company. They married September 24, 1951, and lived in Havre until July 1960, when they transferred with the Buttrey Company to Great Falls Montana.

Arlene saw many inventions come into being during her lifetime, such as ironing with irons heated on a wood burning stove to an electric steam iron. Also, kerosene lamps to electric light bulbs, telephones, and ice boxes to refrigerators. Ringer washers to automatic washing machines and clothes dryers. Wood burning stoves to gas, then electric. Microwave ovens, televisions, computers, cars, airplanes, tractors, and indoor plumbing.

She very much enjoyed gardening and flower beds, of which she had many. She also enjoyed knitting, crocheting, baking, cooking, and canning. She was active in Home and School at Our Lady of Lourdes grade school and Central Catholic High School where her children attended, as well as the Altar Society. She was very proud of her children, who were the biggest blessings in her life.

Arlene is survived by sons, Tim (Dawn) Kato of Missoula and Ron (Michelle) Kato of Lake Forest, CA; two grandsons; two granddaughters; one great-granddaughter; sister, Judy (Collin) McLeod; brother Joseph (Joanie) Weller; in-laws Dorothy Weller, Eileen Weller, Carole Kato Moesinger, and Frank and Nancy Kato; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, George; parents, John and Scholastica Weller; daughter, Lynn; brothers Donald, Kenneth, Arnold, and Duane Weller; sisters, Bernice Bretz, Isabelle Langer, and Johanna Kato; in-laws Bill Bretz, Reinold Langer, Mark Kato, and Margie Weller; Harry and Sachi, Yachi and Jean, Ray and Lois, Ted, Jean Kato, Wally and Sue Kato Wong, and Clyde Moesinger.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Priests for Life, hospice or Our Lady of Lourdes Church.

Condolences for the family may be shared online at https://www.OConnorFuneralHome.com .