Alice (Halmans) Arneson

Funeral Mass for Alice "Halmans" Arneson, 79,  will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 3, 2025 at St. John Catholic Church in Baker with Fr. Baskar Raj. Burial will follow at St. John Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Sunday, February 2, 2025 at Stevenson Funeral Home in Baker with Rosary beginning at 5:00 p.m. 

Alice passed away on January 25, 2025 at Fallon County Nursing Home.

Alice was the 4th child born to Jose and Olga Madler in the days following World War II. Her early days were spent on the Madler family farm north of Baker and attending the O’Donnell Country School. Alice would help with the milking in the dairy barn before and after school. Through her brother Larry, she would meet and go on to marry John J. Halmans. After marrying, Alice moved to the Halmans family ranch. John J. and Alice worked alongside their five children, raising chickens, hogs, and cattle. Alice for a time tended hundreds of chickens and would sell eggs to local stores and friends. Every spring, she would plant a garden that provided fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, peas, beans, and watermelons. In the fall vegetables and fruits were canned for the coming winter.

Alice loved sewing, a skill she learned from her mother. Many winter days were filled with feeding cattle and then making clothes for the family at her Singer sewing machine. Trips to town always included a stop at Ben Franklin to look at the latest patterns and get a few yards of material. Each of her children always had several handmade pieces of clothing for school. Alice started doing custom tailoring on the farm and would later start “Sturdy Stitches” sewing in Miles City, where she would make dresses, drapes and repair all types of clothing.

After moving from the farm to Baker, Alice worked as a waitress while sons Jerome and Jeff were in school. In 1993, Alice began attending community college in Miles City, becoming a Certified Nurses Aid. Alice would use that certification to work at the Fallon Medical Complex for several years.

In 2003, Alice married Clarence Arneson and relocated to Hysham. She lived across the street from JoAnna and was always on neighborhood watch. Jeff spent many weekends helping Alice with projects. In Hysham she enjoyed dances and social functions. She enjoyed driving school bus, which she did for 18 years.

Garage sales and bargain hunting were Alice’s delight. Every sale was a chance to find a new decoration, trinket or clothes that could be given away or turned into quilts. Her quilts will continue to be treasured by her family and friends.

Alice could not have been prouder of her family, ensuring that all her friends were introduced to her children. She was always ready to lend a hand, babysitting grandkids and great-grandkids. In her later years, she was frequently accompanied by her youngest son, Jeff.

Alice always thought of others first. She had a kind heart, wanting to ensure that everyone else had what they needed before thinking of herself. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Alice is survived by sons, Joe (Donna) Halmans of Baker, Jerome (Heidi) Halmans of Weirsdale, FL, Jeff Halmans of Baker; daughter JoAnna Williams (Tennyson) of Hysham; grandchildren, Logan Kotar, Cassie Halmans, Joey (Faye) Halmans, Brandan (Kaitlyn) Kotar, Ashley Halmans, Nathan Halmans, Ophelia Nacey, Helaine Halmans; 5 great grandchildren; brother, Rodney Madler; former husband, John J. Halmans.

Preceded in death by her parents, Jose and Olga (Tronstad) Madler; husband, Clarence Arneson; sister, Carol Brush; brothers, Larry Madler, Jerry Madler, Alvin Madler, and Raymond Madler.