Arline HENRIKSEN

1934 - 2021

Arline Elizabeth Kimball graced the world with her presence on the morning of May 8, 1934. The youngest of 3 children, Arline was born to Martha and Gerald Kimball in Spokane, Washington. Her older brothers, Gerald Jr. (11 years her senior) and Delbert (8 years older) were instantly mesmerized by their little sister's arrival. Indeed, Arline would prove to be a creative, bright, and shining force to be admired by the Kimball family and all who crossed her path.

Arline enjoyed participating in both academic activities and cheerleading throughout her grade school, Jr. High and High School years in the Spokane area. Arline magnetized dozens of friends that would later become lifetime friends. The most notable of these was her West Valley High sweetheart, Ron Henriksen, who she married in June of 1954.

Arline excelled in her Art studies at Whitworth College and brought these talents to life in her own homes – painting grand murals of nature and scenery on the walls. She loved making a house a home. Arline had an inherent knack for decorating, accessorizing, and arranging furniture that followed her from her starter home in Spokane to homes in Lynnwood, Washington, Concord, California, St. Maries and Sandpoint, Idaho, and finally, full circle, back to Spokane, Washington.

Ron and Arline brought two daughters into the world: Rondeline Kay (in 1957) and Lori Gay (in 1959). Arline shared her artistic talents with the girls by creating colorful matching outfits for what would later become, the infamous Twisted Trio. Arline played a key role in all of the communities she lived in, hosting holiday and block parties, neighborhood painting classes, and even belly-dancing sessions. Not only did Arline have a flair for making a house a home, but she also proved to be a powerful uniting force – bringing households in a neighborhood together and inspiring truly connected and spirited communities.

When Arline wasn't busy leading blue-bird troops or neighborhood events, Arline worked as a teleprompter and was at the top of her class in Fashion Design studies at Concord Community College. She later put her fashion expertise to use when she and sister-in-law, Pat Henriksen, started up Uniquely YOU: a color-analysis enterprise. In addition, Arline shared her gifts by assisting daughter Rondi (and son-in-law Curtis Anderson) serving as an Interior Design Consultant at the couple's Expression stores in the Spokane and Coeur d'Alene markets.

Arline loved nature and the great outdoors. In their California years, Arline and Ron would take the girls on discovery excursions or camping adventures. Arline loved to study and share historical stories about the areas they visited. She continued sharing this gift with friends and neighbors where ever she called home. In addition, Arline and Ron would take frequent road trips to satisfy her insatiable thirst for beauty and travel. Arline was especially inspired by the history of her home town Spokane and she was well-known by many for her leadership in woman's groups and outings where she shared her enthusiastic wealth of Spokane's history.

By far, Arline's greatest talent was her amazing Art of Friendship. Arline cultivated friendships where ever she went and nurtured these friendships for a lifetime. Arline's was a life well lived and extraordinarily well-loved. She passed away peacefully with daughters Rondi Anderson and Lori Henriksen by her side on November 30, 2021. Arline's legacy will live on through the lights of her life: Granddaughter Kayla Spriggs and her husband Travis, Grandson Erik Anderson and his wife Emily, and their 2 sons, Eli and Easton.

Stay tuned…COMING SOON: Spring of 2022 - Arline's Celebration of Life

PS. You can rest assured that Arline is safe and sound in heaven and gently giving God a few tips for rearranging and spiffing up the décor.