Arlene Jensen Dial's Obituary
Arlene Jensen Dial
The best mom and grandma was born on January 31, 1921 in Metropolis, NV to Jesse Lyman Jensen and Mabel Ferrin Jensen. Her dad and his brother Rueb moved to Metropolis with their small families to farm. They bought an old house and literally divided it down the middle so each family would have half of the kitchen and living area. These were the days of few automobiles and no indoor plumbing or electricity. The families stayed up for two nights waiting for little Arlene to be born while they all played cards together. She arrived with red hair and a personality to match. She grew up on a horse with her tiny legs stretched out across its back. Her job at an early age was to ride bareback to the roadside and collect the mail. At that time, Metropolis had one school, a hotel, a post office and a feed and grocery store, but not much else.
When Arlene was 11, the family moved to Gridley, CA to be closer to their extended family. She loved California and had a happy childhood playing with her siblings and cousins. She grew up on fresh peaches from the orchard and thick cream that she helped skim off the top of their milk. She wore round wire-rimmed glasses and was always the smallest one in her class. After graduating from high school, she moved with some girlfriends to attend Chico college. She worked as a waitress at a local soda fountain.
Arlene later received a mission call for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Central States Mission in Kansas. Everyone loved her for her positive nature and beautiful smile. While serving there, she had a few brief encounters with a handsome elder, Dennis Dial. She returned from her mission to live and work in San Francisco. Four years later, Dennis saw her at church as he was being discharged from the Navy, and it was love at first sight. He proposed that night, and they were married two weeks later, on Arlene’s birthday, Jan. 31, 1946, in the Idaho Falls Temple. It was a whirlwind engagement, but a lifelong romance. Dad built Mom and small home down the road from where his parents lived in Granger, Utah. While he was busy working and serving in leadership callings, Mom was mothering four little ones – Steven being the baby at the time, and most challenging.
They moved to East Sugarhouse nine years later and spent the rest of their time there. Plus, they added two little girls to their family. Mom and Dad were always hosting ice cream socials – their homes actually had professional ice cream “bars” in the basement, and they would make homemade milkshakes and serve ice cream from giant Snelgroves tubs. We had wonderful, caring parents – we knew that they truly loved each other, and we all enjoyed secure, happy childhoods. We shared fun camping, fishing and hunting trips, went to Disneyland and on other fun vacations together. We enjoyed family reunions in Idaho, California and Tabiona, UT.
Mom was a wonderful cook, seamstress and homemaker. We still love her recipes. She was a lifelong student of the Gospel, and was known as a remarkable Gospel Doctrine teacher. She enjoyed traveling with Dad after he retired, and they spent many fun hours with friends at Lake Powell and on various cruises. Mom was always happy, kind and charitable. She opened her home and took in Grandpa Dial and cared for him for many years. She was often sitting at the kitchen table playing checkers with him when we came home from school. She always made sure her family came first. She was especially committed to the special needs of Steven, and was one of the founding parents who started the Columbus Community Center for those with disabilities.
Mom was always serving in the church. She loved helping others. She loved the Savior and had a strong testimony of the restored gospel. She and Dad served missions together on Temple Square and on Welfare Square. She loved the temple, and wanted to have her recommend with her when she passed away. If you ask people what they remember about Arlene Dial, they will say, “She was a classy lady; she always looked beautiful” “She loved everyone and had an infectious smile.” “She was always willing to serve and to help others.” Mom had a keen mind and a positive outlook on life – even at 101, her sense of humor was always showing. She was a tiny lady, but was strong in so many ways. She loved the Tabernacle Choir, watching BYU Devotionals, reading good books and watching old movies, having tea parties with her great-granddaughters, watching the Jazz, BYU sports. ice skating and Tony Finau playing golf on TV. She loved good food and visiting with family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband, parents and five siblings, her granddaughter, Misty, and her son-in-law, Jim. She looked forward each day over the last 12 years to her Grand Reunion with Dad. She is survived by her children: Diana Hasselfeld, Brent Dial (Joan), Shauna Bath (Mike), Steven Dial, Lynette Nichols and Lauri Robinson (Mark). She has 19 grandchildren and 36 great-grands who love and revere her.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 12th, 11:00 am at the Highland Park Ward chapel, 2535 So. Douglas St. Salt Lake City, with a viewing at the church from 10:00 - 11:00 am. Burial will be at the Valley View Memorial Park Cemetery, 4335 West 4100 South, West Valley City, Utah. Thanks to kind family, friends, and health care professionals who helped care for Mom at home, and to Premier Funeral Services.
What’s your fondest memory of Arlene?
What’s a lesson you learned from Arlene?
Share a story where Arlene's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Arlene you’ll never forget.
How did Arlene make you smile?