Arlien Carole (Caballero) Elledge 75 years of age and a longtime Hoquiam, Washington, resident died on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019, at Montesano Health and Rehabilitation Center in Montesano, Washington. She was born on April 8, 1944, in Galveston, Texas, to Alfred and Violet May (Kendall) Caballero Sr. The marriage between her parents was over before she was born. When she was just months old her mom and big sister, Alfrieda, moved to Colorado, leaving her big brother, Alfred Jr., with their dad in Texas. At a young age, Arlien and her family moved to Ohio, where she stayed until her teen years when the family moved to Washington. They settled in Seattle first and later landed in Hoquiam, where she would go on to graduate from Hoquiam High School in 1962.
After graduation, Arlien’s family moved again, but she decided to stay behind and moved in with a friend and helped be a caregiver to an elderly neighbor. In 1962, at a dance she met Karl “Tom” Elledge and they had an instant connection and were married on April 27, 1963, and settled in Hoquiam. In 1963, they would welcome their first child, a daughter, Karla and soon after, Arlien started working at the Arctic Circle. She worked there up until they welcomed her first son, Thomas, in Oct. of 1968. She stayed home and sold Avon, babysat kids and volunteered with Hoquiam School District until her second son, Kenneth, was born in Nov. of 1972. Arlien loved being surrounded by children, she continued to volunteer with Hoquiam School District and also became a Cub Scout Den Leader. Her scouting career expanded over 25 years, earning her the Silver Beaver Award. She was also a leader with the Campfire Girls. In this same time period, she also bowled in a woman’s league and in 1980, she joined the Beta Sigma Phi and was a member up until her death. In 1986, she started working for Hoquiam School District in the kitchen at the Hoquiam Middle School and the Hoquiam High School before becoming a para-educator at Washington Grade School, until she retired in 2006.
Arlien will be remembered for her love to cook, Her big family meals would feed anyone that showed up at her doorstep. Her lasagna and potato salad were what she was famous for, but she could cook anything, and no one ever complained. She loved the holidays and having big gatherings with the family. She loved spending time with her kids, grandchildren and great- grandchildren. She also enjoyed hummingbirds and would sit in her chair waiting for them to come to the feeder. She also had a large collection of knick knacks all over her house.
She is survived by her children; Karla (Rich) Sturm, Tom (Nikki) Elledge, Ken Elledge and Todd Dean, all of Hoquiam; ten grandchildren, Ryan Sturm, Kayla (Kevin) Sturm, Randy (Sonya) Sturm, Rees Sturm, Billy Clark, Bryan Clark, Alex Elledge, Thomas Ellegde, Tabitha Elledge and Sarah Elledge; and four great- grandchildren, Payton, Kasen, Liliana and Brooklynn. She is also survived by her brother, Richard (Connie) Kellar, Sr. of Odessa, Washington, Jeanette (Joe) Leone of Arlington, Washington; a sister-in-law, Jennie Keller of Yakima, several nieces, nephews and other relatives. She is also survived by her lifelong best friend, Dollie Cutlip, who was there until the very end. She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Tom, her parents and her siblings, Freda, Al, Jr., Floyd, Eddie and Paul.
Viewing will be at the Coleman Mortuary in Hoquiam on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday until 11 a.m.
A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m, Friday, Aug. 9, 2019, at the Sunset Memorial Park in Hoquiam with Pastor Kent Gravley officiating. There will be a potluck gathering for family and friends following the services.
Direction is by the Coleman Mortuary, 422 – 5th Street in Hoquiam, Washington.
Please take a few precious moments of your time to record your comments for the family by signing the on-line register at www.colemanmortuary.net.
