Arlene Griggs

Arlene Griggs, 47, of Mountain Home, passed away on Jan. 2, 2014, due to medical complications at St. Luke's Elmore,

Services will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 8, at 11 a.m. at Rost Funeral Home in Mountain Home.

Arlene was born on April 12, 1966, in Caldwell, Idaho, to Beverly Shattuck and Ted Griggs. Arlene was the oldest of three.

Arlene attended school in Mountain Home from 1973 to 1984. As a high school student, Arlene enjoyed spending a majority of her time practicing drill team, participating in competitions and horseback riding with her friends.

During that time, Arlene was employed at the Red Steer, where she met Paul Abel. Paul and Arlene were married in 1983, and moved to Myrtle Beach, S.C., on military orders.

Arlene began a 14-year career in 1985 with Bannister Shoe, now known as Famous Footwear, managing many different stores during her career. Arlene and Paul welcomed their first son, Derrik, in 1987, in South Carolina.

Arlene lived in many different places during her life, including Guam, where she and Paul welcomed their second child, Amanda, in 1989.

Arlene also lived in California, Washington and Oregon.

Arlene and Paul divorced in 1990.

Arlene later met Tom Strobehn in California, where they welcomed their first child together, Waylon, in 1993, in Reno, Nev.

After a house fire in Lincoln City, Arlene did not return to work for Bannister Shoe.

In 2001, Arlene and her three children returned to Mountain Home, Idaho, after a long illness. Arlene worked a few different jobs in Mountain Home before retiring in 2006 due to health issues.

Arlene loved nothing more than the outdoors, especially tropical weather, sunbathing, tanning, and gardening. Arlene's favorite television show was Little House on the Prairie.

Arlene loved her family and was very giving with her love, showering her loved ones in gifts. Arlene was a great cook, and made home cooked meals that could feed an entire block and invite a crowd.

She always showed her appreciation to others, shared her happiness and loved openly and freely.

Arlene is survived by: her parents, Ted Griggs and Beverly Shattuck of Mountain Home; her brother, Russell Griggs, and his wife, Donna, of Mountain Home; brother David Griggs, his wife, Emily, and their children Skylar, Porter and Emmett, all of Mountain Home; her children, Derrik Abel of Boise, Amanda Thompson of Mountain Home and Waylon Strobehn of New York, as well as her grandson, Kaden Thompson, who she absolutely adored and made sure she let everyone know.

Arlene was preceded in death by her maternal and paternal grandparents.