Obituary

Arliss J. Naylor

Arliss Naylor passed away peacefully in her sleep Thursday evening, March 7, 2013.
Born on July 17, 1922 to Alice and Frank Stoutenburg in Bertha MN, she was later joined by brothers Jay Rex Stoutenburg in 1930 & Thomas L Smith in 1942.
She graduated from high school in Hibbing, MN in 1940 & attended 1 year of community college. Three years later, she joined the US Navy, serving as a clerk typist in the Bureau of Ships in Washington DC.
In August of 1945, she married the love of her life, G Bruce Naylor in Riverside CA. After leaving their military services, Arliss and Bruce moved back to the family farm in 1947 in MN. After moving into the “Home Place” they welcomed their first daughter, Sheila, in 1948. Then, in 1951, they introduced Aviah ‘Kristen’ to the world. She worked as a farmer’s wife, a mother, and a bank admin asst, never stopping for herself other than driving home, very slowly.
In 1978 she moved out west to Custer, WA to be near her daughter Sheila (Jim) Atwater and her new granddaughter, Cheryl. She fell in love with the west coast, visiting Birch Bay to poke around under rocks & tide pools with her grandchild. When she retired, she couldn’t sit still. She had always wanted to learn to paint, so after Bruce’s death she signed up for a few classes. She quickly became an adept artist, using charcoal and watercolors before moving on to acrylics, pastels and other mediums; but watercolors were always her favorite. Arliss avidly gardened, baked, and traveled with groups from the Senior Center, and made a trip to Washington DC with her daughters in 2002 to see the Women in Military Service Memorial exhibit, and reminisce about her years in the service. She volunteered at the Ferndale Food Bank for many years, as well as with the Ferndale Senior Center. She began taking German just a few years ago, and never ceased in her enthusiasm for taking on new things. Though her body may have slowed down, her mind sped ahead with a sharpness and wit that was unparalleled.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Bruce, daughter Aviah “Kristen” Cole, and brothers Tom and Rex. She leaves behind her daughter Sheila (Jim) Atwater (WA), granddaughter Cheryl (Henry) Atwater-Miller (WA), and great-granddaughter Sylvia. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Lois Stoutenburg (MN) and son-in-law Craig Cole (KS), as well as a community of friends and family.
We will be celebrating Arliss on March 23, 2013 at the United Church of Ferndale at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, she preferred that donations be made to the local food bank, senior center, or any other worthy cause. We would also like to thank the wonderful staff at Whatcom Hospice House for their support & care of our family during the short time we spent with them.
Arliss was always a no-fuss, modest, and fiercely independent woman. She lived her life to the fullest, leaving her friends and family with a lifetime of fond memories.
We will truly miss you “Arlie. We know your dance card is full, and you are enjoying some great reunions. We love you!
www.farewelltributes.com

Farewell Tribute Information

We will be celebrating Arliss on March 23, 2013 at the United Church of Ferndale at 2 pm. Donations Information

In lieu of flowers, she preferred that donations be made to the local food bank, senior center, or any other worthy cause.