La Conner Weekly News - Your independent hometown award-winning newspaper

Arlene Anne (Gannon) Kimbell (Arly) of La Conner (formerly from Everett), 87, peacefully went to be with her Lord and Savior on July 8, 2022.

Mom was born on April 30, 1935 to Ansel and Mary (Kappel) Gannon in Everett, WA. Mom was raised with her younger sister Linda, helping out in their family grocery store in Pinehurst. She had so much fun coming home from school and getting specialty candies from the jars on their store counter.

Mom graduated from Everett High School where her nickname was “Bubbles” because of her never-ending smile and outgoing personality. She then continued her education at Everett Community College where she met Gordon Kimbell in the bookstore. She transferred to Western Washington University to complete her degree with a BA in K-12 education while dating Gordon. One weekend they went home to visit their families and Gordon asked Arlene’s Dad if he would give his blessing for them to be married. The rest is history!

Mom and Dad were married in Everett First Baptist Church August 16, 1958. During their 62 years together, they built their first home in Eastmont in south Everett. They were blessed with four children. Mom taught 4th/5th grade for 35-plus years at Garfield Elementary School as well as Lowell Elementary School. She was always involved in community activities and loved to help others. If there was a need, Mom was there with her beautiful smile and positive attitude! She also earned her Master’s Degree in Education from Seattle University.

Our family life was full of love and lots of adventures. We had a cabin in La Conner where we would go crabbing, clamming, boating and Mom’s favorite, beach combing for “treasures!”

Mom loved to host family holidays, bridal showers, baby showers, birthday parties and church gatherings with endless amounts of homemade food and decorations!

After their four kids were grown, Mom and Dad built their retirement home on Kiket Bay in La Conner where they spent over 30 years volunteering and enjoying the beach life. They took annual trips to Maui, Hawaii; Cannon Beach, Oregon; Mazama, WA; and Tofino, B.C.

Mom never met anyone who wasn’t her immediate friend, she was such a people person and loved everyone. Growing up she taught us to always smile and say “hello” to all that we came in contact with. She said, “You never know what someone is going through until you walk a mile in their shoes.” We were so blessed to have been raised in a Christian home where God always came first.

Mom is survived by her sister Linda Lemke (Howard), and four children: Jeff (Kim), Brian, Sharilyn Sterley (Glen) and Alan (Gretchen). Grandchildren: Amanda (Michael Lerner) and Holly Kimbell; Levi, Blake and Brianna Sterley; Christian, Caleb and Ethan Kimbell. Great Grandchildren: Kayden and Briella Lerner.

Please consider making a donation to one of Mom’s favorite charities,

Children’s Hospital of Seattle: https://give.seattlechildrens.org/fundraiser/4007912

A celebration of Mom and Dad’s lives will be held at their church, Christ the King (1000 Fountain St., Burlington, WA 98223) on Thursday, July 28, 2022 at 12 p.m. for family and friends.

Arrangements are under the care of Kern Funeral Home.