Arlene Marie Kochel

Arlene Kochel, devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away surrounded by her family after a short battle with cancer on October 27th, 2025, at the age of 83.

Arlene was born in Anaconda, MT, on November 11, 1941, to parents John and Mary Blaskovich.

After graduating from Anaconda High in 1960, Arlene met her husband Larry while working at Galen Hospital. The two were married in 1961 and started a family in 1963.

In 1968, they moved their family to Shelby, MT., where Larry took a job with Montana Power.

While in Shelby, Arlene worked a variety of jobs over the years, her favorite being an 18-year employment with Jack and Mary Jean Wells at Well’s Drug.

Arlene was very proud of her family and loved to tell people all about them. She was a friend to everyone with her lively spirit and gift of gab. No matter where or when, she would share the pride in her Croatian heritage and the fact that she was born in Anaconda. She was a devout Catholic, as well as an expert seamstress. She could sew or mend anything from recovering a recliner to designing a beautiful wedding gown. She was also famous for her amazing meals, always having room at her table no matter the occasion. Over the years, she was involved in various organizations, including Toast Mistress, card clubs, bowling leagues and quilt guilds.

Arlene spent the last 17 years of her life living in Potomac, Montana, making fast friends with people throughout the valley, Missoula, and the parishioners of Saint Ann’s Parish.

Arlene leaves behind her sons, James (Debbie) Kochel, Sean (Melissa Hayes) Kochel, and Rian Kochel; daughters, Christine Kochel and Milissa (Robert) Swanson; grandchildren, Hannah (Laura) Guay, Sophie (Kaileb) Coyne, Keshaw Jeffres, Eli Jeffres, Jebidiah (girlfriend Bluqwell Pepion) Lunda, Darby (girlfriend Tamara Roos) Lunda, Owen Lunda and Beatrice Kochel; and great-grandchildren, Brigg and Judd Guay, Eli Jeffres and Gus Jeffres.

Arlene was preceded in death by her husband, Larry Kochel; parents, John and Mary Blaskovich; brothers, Tomas and David Blaskovich; grandson, Augustus Jeffres; and great-granddaughter, Opal Jeffres.

A Memorial Mass will be held on November 7th, 11:00 a.m. at Saint Ann’s Parish in Bonner, MT.

In lieu of flowers, memorials honoring Arlene may be made to Saint Ann’s Parish.