Our dearly beloved mother Arline (Pork) Milda Schelin passed at age 81 on February 25th, 2023 in her home surrounded by her family.
Arline was born on January 15th, 1942, in Forsyth, MT to Phillip and Alice Kuntz. She spent her school days in Forsyth along with her four sisters Rose, Carol, Helen, and Phillis. Arline met and married the love of her life Martin (Tubby) Schelin on October 4th, 1958, and had five children Terri, Toby, Alice, Todd, and Amanda.
Pork and Tub operated an A&W Root Beer stand in Forsyth and in 1964 moved to Butte where Pork worked at the City Center and Mile-High motels, where she cleaned and operated the facilities.
Pork and Tub purchased a 10-acre farm in Whitehall, MT in 1972, where they began raising their young family. Pork worked at Borden’s Café for several years and worked the farm raising, chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, cows, and horses.
Pork pursued a new venture and was hired at Stauffer Chemical in 1977 as a laborer / operator working with heavy equipment in a non-traditional job for women. Pork was not shy of hard work and quickly earned the respect of men at the chemical plant. She worked right alongside many of the men and worked countless hours of overtime to support her growing family.
In 1979 Pork and Tub moved the family to their house on Walnut St. in Butte, where they lived the remainder of their lives.
Pork continued working as a hard laborer breaking a barrier for women in the labor industry. After the closing of Stauffer Chemical, Pork continued working numerous alternate jobs such as housekeeping, telemarketer, and truck driver where she earned her class “A” CDL.
Pork was a steady provider to her family, and a friend to all, she set the example of hard work for her family. She was also a great example of the true meaning of family for her most important role in life, raising her family and taking in anyone who needed a helping hand. Over the years she raised, fed, helped, and supported countless numbers of family and friends. Her generosity continued through-out her entire life. Pork and Tubby’s house was always a safe haven for all who needed it, and generally became known as the “Schelin Hotel” where there was always a “VACANCY.” Pork continued raising children including many grandchildren and great grandchildren right up to her last days. Pork was always known for her generosity and was willing to give her last dime to someone who was struggling.
Arline enjoyed spending time playing Bingo, “Playing 5” at the casino, playing cards at the kitchen table, and especially large family gatherings and cooking her famous mashed potatoes and gravy. She enjoyed going to garage sales and adding to her collection of knick knacks and things to decorate her yard and house. She was always one for a good laugh, Pork loved to prank and joke with people. Arline was a beautiful woman and always took pride in her appearance even after working hard 16-hour days at the chemical plant. This continued during the difficult last few months of life, she made sure her hair and makeup were done.
Mom we are going to miss you and know you will be watching over us and no matter the difficulties we experience or challenges we encounter in life we will always here you utter your favorite word “WHATEVER.”
Arline was preceded in death by her husband, Martin “Tubby” Schelin; and grandson Perry Dean Schelin. She is survived by her children Terri Schelin of Butte, Toby and Stacy Schelin of Ramsay, Alice and Curt Stoltenberg of Butte, Todd and Kim Schelin of Bonney Lake, WA., and Amanda and Rory Thornton of Houston, TX and her 13 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren. A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.
Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Arline.
Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Arline and her family.
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Shavon Baltezar says
One of a kind special ! Big heart ! Always good to me growing up . So happy I had privilege to be one of Tara best friends . We definitely caused trouble and they always loved us regardless…. She the perfect description of love ! Prayers and hugs to all
Cathy Galetti says
We got to know Arlene thru the marriage of Kim ( our daughter) & Todd ( our wonderful son-in-law) Spent many hrs going to birthday parties, weddings, baby showers, graduations & any other Schelin occasion! Sharing our beautiful Granddaughters ,Taryn & Payton, was our best treasure! You will be missed by many Arlene. Prayers to all Schelins
Marcy Black says
My deepest sympathies to all It was such a joy to know her and her huge family love and prayers to all 🙏💘 Gone but not forgotten
Vera Winn says
I still feel her love she’s watching over us. I’ll never forget the time we were getting ready to go shopping n the cow got loose in the neighbors field n we were out there running around trying to corner her back into moms field. Jumping over high grasses n tuning trying to catch the cow. Of course I was half afraid n mom would yell just corner the cow it won’t hurt you. It sure looked like it would I love you to the moon n back mom Vera
Staci Thrasher says
She will be missed immensely! Prayers of peace and comfort during this season of grief. 🙏❤🙏 I’m sure she has a special place in heaven.
Jim and Shelly Fortune says
We are sorry to hear about Arline’s passing. Please know you’re in our thoughts and prayers at this time
Kristie Kent says
Our sympathy to all the family. So sad. She will be terribly missed. So glad to be her Walnut street neighbors. It was a pleasure. Her and my dad were the greatest friends. Glad to be a part. Give dad a hug. Prayers and hugs to all. ❤
Allie Schelin says
Was so sweet, I was a great grand kiddo of hers, Alice was my actual grandma. But Arlene was there always when Alice wasn’t. I consider Arlene to have been my actual grandma and not my great grandma. She was onry at times but was super funny. Whenever my family and I went over there she always made sure we were fed. Love you grandma ❤
Jamie Schelin says
Oh Aunt Pork, you will for sure be missed by more people than one would ever know. You effected so many in your lifetime. I can remember my mom and dad always saying that when you and Tub got married it was the best thing that ever happen to the Schelin family, you would put so many in their place when it come to arguments.
My dad would say if you wasn’t a GREAT WOMAN! you would still be a GREAT MAN! as you could hold your own for sure.
I can always remember when we would go to the house on Walnut you would make us the best mashed potatoes and gravy with what ever kind of Meat you had. Yummy!
Aunt Porky although I didn’t get to visit you much in my adult life I still hold you with very high regards. I will always have the best memories or you.
Love always.
Your Niece Jamie Schelin