Arlene Constance Wooster Christopher

Arlene Constance Wooster Christopher, 85, resident of Cornville, Arizona. Born on March 17, 1920 in Eagle Grove, Iowa. She was the tenth and last child of Martin and Kathryn Groff Wooster. A life-long Lutheran; she was baptized, confirmed and married in the Eagle Grove Evangelical Lutheran Church. She was a lifetime member of the Eastern Star. Arlene graduated from Eagle Grove High School in 1938 and Eagle Grove Junior College in 1940. She then attended the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa as a nursing student; but with the onset of World War II, she left school to join the U.S. Women's Army Air Corps. She was discharged with the rank of First Sergeant at the end of the war. On March 17, 1944, while on active duty, she married Robert Donald Christopher, also from Eagle Grove, Iowa. Robert was on leave from the U.S. Navy. After the war they returned to Iowa and became farmers. In 1947, their daughter, Christine Arlene was born, and in 1955 their son, Robert Bruce. In 1956 the young family moved to Phoenix, Arizona where Robert started Industrial Refrigeration. In the early days, Arlene did the bookkeeping on the kitchen table. Once the children were in school, Arlene went to work in the library at Phoenix Union High School where she worked there for 22 years. She was kind and generous, often giving her own money to students who couldn't afford a prom or junior college. She had many close friends at PUHS, in her neighborhood near 20th Street and Osborne Rd, and at Grace Lutheran Church. Arlene was an excellent athlete. In high school she was captain of the tumbling team, coached girl's basketball and was a lifeguard at the local swimming pool. She loved to water ski, golf and camp. Most Friday afternoons she had the station wagon packed and ready to go to the cabin at Rocky Point, midget racing at out of town racetracks, or camping at Saguaro Lake. In 1982, Bob and Arlene retired and built their dream house in Cornville, Arizona. Arlene attended calf ropings to cheer for her husband and his friends. She went to horse shows, traveled through Europe, and rafted down the Colorado River. Arlene was a good sport who was ready to do anything. She was a wonderful wife and mother, a spotless housekeeper, an excellent homemaker, a great cook, and a gracious hostess. But she most enjoyed her role as grandmother to Christopher, Erin, Abby, Robert and Susan. She loved them unconditionally and they could do no wrong. Arlene fought bravely as she faced Alzheimer's Disease. Even during her most frustrating days, she never showed self-pity. She was positive, encouraging and fun to be around. She ended her journey at Carefree Assisted Living Center in Cottonwood, Arizona on Wednesday, August 9, 2006. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, August 19, 2006 at 2:00pm with a one-hour prior visitation at Westcott Funeral Home, 1013 E. Mingus Ave., in Cottonwood, Arizona. She is survived by her husband, Robert Christopher of Cornville, Arizona; her son, Robert Bruce Christopher with his wife, Christy Hertzberg, of Soquel, California; her daughter, Christine Arlene Chapman of Rimrock, Arizona; and five grandchildren, Christopher Chapman, Erin Honorio, Abby Christopher, Robert Chapman, and Susan Christopher. Even with the years of warning and preparation, her family is devastated by their loss. She will be remembered and loved forever. An online guestbook is available at www.westcottfuneralhome.com