Arlene Marie Graham

Arlene Marie Graham was born to Toivo Mike and Marie Lempi (Riikonen) Sarampaa on September 26, 1937, in Astoria, OR. She graduated from Astoria High School.

She married her high school sweetheart, Howard, on October 1, 1955, at the Peace Lutheran Church. They were married for 58 years and resided in Astoria. The couple had 3 sons: Mike, Pat and Doug. Arlene retired from the Columbia River Fisheries Union office where she worked as their secretary.

Arlene loved to garden, tole paint, camp and fish. She was known as “The Sturgeon Queen” due to the fact that she always out fished her husband. She was a forestry and cooking 4-H leader for many years. She also made the best cookies ever. She always had a large bag of cookies for her family whenever they came to visit. Arlene loved her family, especially her grandkids: David, Shannon, Doug, Jacqueline, Jacob and Emma. She was a lioness in regards to watching over and caring for her family.

She is survived by her husband, Howard Graham of Astoria, her sons Mike, Doug and his wife Lisa, and Pat and his wife Susie. Her grandchildren David, Shannon and her husband Brandon, who gave Arlene one of her greatest treasures, her great-granddaughter Piper, Doug, Jacqueline, Jacob, and Emma. Her sister Betty Smith and her husband Jim, and nephews Brian and David.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, July 10, at 11 a.m. at the Peace Lutheran Church in Astoria, OR.

Caldwell’s Luce-Layton of Astoria, OR, is in charge of arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the Peace Lutheran Church, 4-H, Lower Columbia Hospice or a charity of your choice.