Frances Arlene Cookson

Francis Arlene Cookson, 77 of Nampa, passed away on Thursday, August 1, 2019 at home of natural causes. Arlene was born on November 13, 1941 to Carl C. and Lucille M. Dice in Valentine, Nebraska in route to Kansas. She was the 9th child of 14, and loved her 11 sisters and 3 brothers.
   
Arlene gave birth to a son, Terry Dice in Scott City, Kansas in December 1957. In the Spring of 1958 Arlene’s parents, 5 siblings and baby Terry left Kansas in a 1955 Studebaker cope headed for Idaho. Arlene met and married Jacob T. Snowball and the two had three more children, Harold, Letha and Wayne. Terry the oldest son, remained with his grandparents for a number of years and around age twelve joined his mom, Arlene and his siblings.
   
Arlene was born and confirmed Lutheran and walked on a solid brick foundation her mama and daddy laid for all the kids to walk and kneel on. Arlene and Jacob divorced and a short while later a United States Navy Veteran known as “Cookie”, Boyd Cookson stole her heart. The two remained married until he passed away May 1, 2003. The two lived in Sparks, Nevada and moved to her son, Harold Snowball’s ranch in Homedale, Idaho. When Boyd passed away, Arlene bought a home in Nampa to be closer to her daughter Letha Miller, and sons Terry Dice and Wayne Snowball. Arlene loved her family, she loved them to a fault.   

When Grandpa Boyd was still next to her the two spent much time on the river usually toting along grandsons, Lonnie Dice, Clayton Snowball and Kenny Snowball. Grandma and Grandpa would argue as to who was going to catch the first fish and get the grandson’s involved to root one or the other on. Grandma Arlene, didn’t go many places without a skein of yard and a crochet needle. Although, Grandma was born paralyzed on her right size it did not slow her down. She made many afghans for the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. One of the most treasured memories of her eldest granddaughter, Chantele Hensel, was when she was expecting her first baby sitting next to Grandma learning to crochet and listening to the stories Grandma shared.   

Arlene is survived by her sisters; Jean (Don) Brandenberger of Colorado, Kathy Coats of Washington, Rita (Gene) Peterson of Boise, Bonnie (Jerry) Todd of Washington, brothers; Denny of Oregon, Darrell (Elaine) Dice of Nampa, four children; Terry (Tammy) Dice of Nampa, Harold (Nora) Snowball of TX Letha Miller of Nampa and Wayne Snowball of Nampa; grandchildren, Chantele (Michael) Hensel of Nampa, Jacob D Snowball of Boise, Clayton Snowball of UT, Kenny (Whitney) of UT, Terra Bonnell of Nampa, Lonnie Dice of Nampa, BobbyJo Edwardson of AK, Juanita (Frankie) Castellanos of Caldwell, Jacob W. (Nichole) Snowball of Wendall, ID, Andrew Snowball of Nampa and Diamond Miller of Nampa, Bruce Rexford, Vernon Rexford, Barbara Rexford Morse, Qinugan Rexford Vlchis, DJ Rexford, and NorDel Rexford Sundai all of AK; 70-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren on the way.
   
She was preceded in death by her husband Boyd, dad Carl, mom Lucille, sisters Renee Good, Verene Dearden, Dorothy Bender, Delores Harkness, Marilyn “Midge” Barber, and Belva Dice-Bargin, brother Carl D. Dice and son-in-law Jeff Miller.   

A viewing will take place at 9:30 a.m., Thursday, August 8, 2019 at Dakan Funeral Chapel, 504 S. Kimball Ave., Caldwell. Memorial services will begin at 10:30 a.m. with burial to follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Caldwell.   

Thank you to the wonderful hospice nurse, Terri, and Above Hospice and Home Health for your love and support to our family through our Mother/Grandmother’s journey home. Christy, the best caregiver, you are such a special person in our lives. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

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