Arlene was born on April 1, 1927 in Ogden, Utah. She was the oldest child of Arlin Elmer and Hilda Arvilla (Richins) Wakefield who were longtime residents of Grouse Creek, Utah.  Arlene was raised in Grouse Creek where music was a central element of her life. In 1940, her father gave her an accordion that he had ordered from the Montgomery Ward catalog. She loved learning to play it, placing a mirror on a chair and sitting in front of it so she could see the left hand buttons and practice, mostly by ear. Her musical talents, which she freely shared, were a source of great joy over the years to family and friends. She had the following brothers and sisters: Fay, Richard, Elmer Burdell Wakefield, and Robert C Wakefield.

During the summers of the war years, because most of the young men were off to war, Arlene’s entire family went to Nevada to help the hay crews. One summer, Arlene lived with her aunt and uncle in Seattle, where she found a job as a riveter’s assistant, making B-17 and B-29 airplanes.

Kimber, Dawn Frost. Front Row: Irene Lee, Eileen Warburton, Dorothy Warburton
Arlene came to Tremonton, Utah to attend Bear River High School when she started the tenth grade. It was at an assembly before a football game that she first saw her future husband, Rohl Munns.

Rohl and Arlene were married January 26, 1946, in Ogden, Utah, shortly before he sailed for Okinawa. Their marriage was solemnized for time and eternity a few years later in the Logan LDS Temple. They had the following children: Ron, Mona, Bruce, Monte, Bryan.

After living in Buhl, Idaho for a few years following his graduation from Utah State, Rohl and Arlene returned to Brigham City in 1953. Six years later, they moved their family north of town to Harper Ward. Although living in the country was a lot of hard work and long hours, the blessings of that move were immeasurable. Surrounded, accepted and nurtured by great neighbors and friends, their family flourished.

Arlene was a faithful and steadfast member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and freely shared her testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Not one to seek or acknowledge the spotlight, she was nevertheless a consistent example of compassion, kindness and caring.

Arlene’s life of devotion and loyalty to her family reflected her understanding and testimony of eternal principles. She had a deep appreciation for those ancestors who had preceded her in mortality. She was a gifted writer, and often sent cards or notes that reflected great depth of understanding and insight into many of life’s’ afflictions and challenges. Above all else, she had a grateful heart, and often expressed the gratitude she felt for all the blessings that had come into her life.

Arlene Wakefield Munns was 87 when she passed away on Sunday, December 7, 2014, in Brigham City. She is buried in the Brigham City Cemetery.