Arlene Marie Robbins

Loving mother, wife, and sister, Arlene Marie McLaughlin Robbins, 97, joined her husband and daughter with God in Heaven on Monday, August 29, 2016. Family members were with her when she passed.

Born in 1918 in Wakpala, South Dakota, Arlene attended boarding schools in her early years. While attending the Haskell Institute (now Haskell Indian Nations University), Arlene was selected as the Campus Queen; the precursor to the modern “Miss Indian America”. Candidates were judged according to beauty, talent, charm, and popularity. Newspaper articles report “her loyal subjects believe that no camera can do justice to her beauty.”

After graduation, Arlene began working for the Bureau of Indian Affairs where she met and married Guy L. Robbins in 1942. Together, Arlene and Guy worked toward the betterment of life for American Indians for most of their early marriage. In 1950, they moved to Steamboat Springs, CO where they took up ranching.

The family moved to Conrad, MT in 1953 where Guy served as the Pondera County Extension Agent, then, in 1958 moved to Great Falls, MT where they created a one-stop financial planning center.

Arlene was preceded in death by her loving husband, Guy, and her beloved daughter, Mimi Robbins McBride.

Survivors include children; Bonnie Jo Hunt (Albuquerque, NM), Guy “Bud” L. Robbins (Great Falls, MT), Rebecca L. Robbins (Hot Springs, MT), and Kenneth E. Robbins (Chandler, AZ); grandchildren Cara M. Murolo, Ginger K. Carter, and Andrew G. Robbins (Durango, CO). Arlene is also survived by sister, Delores McLaughlin (Missoula, MT) and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Arlene will be held on Saturday, September 3, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. at The Lake Funeral Home. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery.