Arlene Bridge

Nettie Arlene (Davis) Bridge was born in Newport, Nebraska on January 15, 1920 to Clyde I., and Phebie (Smith) Davis and passed to her Heavenly Home on January 16, 2015 at the age of 95 years and 1 day in Beloit, Kansas. She lived her early years in Nebraska and Kansas, traveling wherever her father, a barber, could find employment. Arlene graduated from Atkinson High School, Atkinson, Nebraska in 1937. She attended the California School of Cosmetology in Omaha, Nebraska and received her board certification from the State of Nebraska in 1938. After graduating, she opened a Beauty Shop in Orchard, Nebraska. She met her future husband, Kenneth A. Bridge, when he walked by the window of her shop and winked at her. They were married in Wayne, Nebraska on February 16, 1942. Just days after being married they were separated by World War II when Kenneth joined the US Army Air Corp. They were able to be together while Kenneth was stationed in the U.S. but shortly after daughter Cheryl was born in June, 1944, Kenneth was shipped overseas serving in the Pacific Theater of the war as a crew chief on B-17's and B-24's out of Guam, Iwo Jima and Saipan. Cheryl and Arlene lived with her parents in Atkinson while Kenneth served his country. After Kenneth was honorably discharged from the Army, in October, 1945, they moved to Atkinson, where Arlene was a full time mom and Kenneth worked for the Cleary Brothers as a meat cutter. In December 1949, their home was destroyed by fire and the little family moved the Bridge family farm in the Pleasant Valley Community where Kenneth had grown up. The land and the farm became their life together for over 50 years. In March, 1950, son Dennis was born, and their family was complete. Arlene was a wife, mother, hairdresser, friend and a joy to know. She ran her beauty shop from their home for many years and could count many of the ladies in her community as customers and friends. Arlene was a member of the United Methodist Church in Orchard for over 50 years where she and Kenneth were active in many church activities. She taught Sunday school, was on the pastor-parish committee and also served as Den Mother when Dennis was a Cub Scout. She was always interested in the activities of her children and enjoyed their accomplishments. Arlene and Kenneth loved camping with their family and enjoyed many happy hours in that endeavor, traveling to Wyoming and Kansas to enjoy the National Parks and Waconda Lake. Kenneth passed away suddenly on May 27, 1993, and her life forever changed. Arlene moved from the farm to Orchard, and then to Beloit, Kansas to live in 1998. She made many new friends, enjoyed playing cards and traveling, as well as being close to her daughter and family. Arlene was preceded in death by husband Kenneth, her parents, and brothers Leonard Davis, Howard Davis, and Richard Davis, sisters Beulah Davis, Shirley Dvorak, and Gladyce Sparks. Those left behind to celebrate her life are daughter Cheryl Renter (Greg), of Beloit, Kansas, son Dennis Bridge (Janet) of Royal, Nebraska, grandson Shane Kelley of Beloit, granddaughter Jacqueline Bennett (James) of Escazu, Costa Rica, granddaughter Amber Brooks (Cory) of Evansville, Wyoming, granddaughter Crystal Hintz (Patrick) of Battle Creek, Nebraska, and granddaughter Brandi Standish (Tanner) of Buffalo, Wyoming. Great grandchildren include Corwin and Audrey Bennett, Kassidy, Gage, and Cade Brooks, Ethan and Trevor Hintz, and Hayes Standish. Many nephews, nieces and friends will also greatly feel her loss.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday at the McDonald Funeral Home. Arlene will be transported to the Orchard United Methodist Church in Orchard, Nebraska where a second funeral service will be held at 10:30 A.M. Thursday with burial following in the Orchard Hills Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Beloit Special Olympics or the Mitchell County Hospital Regional Medical Foundation. Visitation will be from 9:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M. Tuesday at the McDonald Funeral Home in Beloit and on Wednesday from 6:00 P.M. until 7:30 P.M. at the Orchard United Methodist Church in Orchard, Nebraska.