Dorajean (Dora) Arnold, 88, passed away on April 22, 2017 after a 14 month battle with cancer. Dora was born July 12, 1928 on a ranch at Kadoka, South Dakota to Forrest and Mildred Smith. She was the oldest of nine children. After graduating from Marsing High School in 1945, she worked at Wharton Store in Melba and then at Standard Furniture in Nampa. On September 9, 1949 Dora married Virgil C. Arnold in Nampa's United Methodist Church. The couple moved several times in their first years of marriage; living in different towns and working a variety of jobs until Dora's husband began working at the Union Pacific Railroad. The family moved to Rupert and Dora got a job at the Minidoka County News. The next move took them to Emmett, where Dora worked at the Gem County Courthouse as Deputy Assessor until her retirement in 1985. Dora attended the United Methodist Church and taught Sunday School for several years. She was also a member of the Gem County Rock and Mineral Society. After Virgil retired, the couple went full-time RVing for a year and then moved into a home in Nampa. They spent their time gardening, rock hounding, camping and traveling with the Good Sams. Dora will be remembered for her grace, dignity, kindness, and faith. After the death of her infant son, Dora found comfort in prayer and her belief in God. Her faith in the Lord remained strong for the rest of her life. She was an independent working woman who helped support her family from a very young age. As the oldest of nine children, she had many family responsibilities including helping her father hunt, her mother cook, and watching her younger siblings. She continued to work and volunteer at church and in organizations after her marriage to Virgil. Dora was a career woman in a time before it was generally accepted, but she enjoyed being able to make contributions to her family and having her own interests. Dora appreciated the beauty in the world around her and enjoyed gardening, camping, fishing, gemstone hunting, and bird-watching. She was an amazing cook and shared her talents and cooking advice with her family! She was a voracious reader who instilled this love for learning in her children and grandchildren. She was a wonderful role-model for politeness, hospitality, kindness, beauty, and grace. Dora loved spending time with her large family and they will miss her very much. Dora was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Virgil C. Arnold; an infant son, Duane C. Arnold; and, two sisters: Eleanor Mae (Smith) Elliott and Marie (Smith) Morris. She is survived by three sisters: Darlene Maiden, Rixee (Bob) Jess, and Lois Johnston; three brothers: Wayne (Pat) Smith, Alvin (Ann) Smith, and Reed Smith; two children: Roger Arnold and Sue (Bob) Hewett; five grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
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