Arlana Lou Patton

Surrounded by family, Arlana Lou Patton, 66, Bismarck, passed away on September 27, 2017, after a courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am Thursday, October 5, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter -Day Saints, 2930 Cody Drive, Bismarck, with Bishop Steve Osmond officiating. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery, Bismarck. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Wednesday, October 4, at Eastgate Funeral Service, 2302 E. Divide Ave., Bismarck. The youngest of three children, Arlana was born on August 9, 1951, in Anaconda, MT, to Bud and Lois Moreland. She graduated from Anaconda High School in 1969, and then moved on to business school in Boulder, MT. She married Jim Ficklin in 1970, and from this union, three children were born, Jim, Kelly, and Tom. In 1976, she married Ron Patton. Arlana enjoyed camping, fishing, bowling, and playing pinochle with family and friends during her 33 years in her hometown, but, above all else, her children were her passion. From school programs to athletic events and everything in between, Arlana never missed an opportunity to see her kids play or perform. She was THE office administrator for the Butte, Anaconda, and Pacific Railway for 15 years, where she kept the guys in check, and was truly “one of the boys!” In 1985, Arlana and family left her beloved Montana for Bismarck, where she would spend the next 33 years. Arlana eventually found employment with the State of ND as the office administrator for the department of surplus property, where she would remain employed until her passing. She really enjoyed the people she worked with over the years, and was incredibly fond of the current staff. Over the years, Arlana continued to be her kids’ biggest fan, bursting with pride over their many accomplishments, whether they were in the classroom, on some field or court, or in their personal and professional lives. As her family grew with the addition of spouses, in-laws, and finally, grandchildren, Arlana adapted well to grandmother mode, and was every bit adept at that as she was at motherhood. Activities and birthdays of all eight grandchildren were precious to her, but nothing beat regularly shopping with her daughter Kelly and granddaughter Lexi. Herberger’s was their home away from home! Arlana was also quite happy spending time alone in her apartment, which was beautifully decorated with the wildlife themes she loved so much, and which would eventually become synonymous with who Arlana was and always has been, a lover of the outdoors and all that nature had to offer. Arlana is survived by her children, Jim (Cindy) Patton, Bismarck, Kelly (Brett) Mertz, Bismarck, and Tom (Jen) Patton, West Jordan, UT; her grandchildren, Ben, Nick, Andrew, and Elizabeth Patton, Bismarck, Lexi Mertz, Bismarck, and Timothy John, Jack, and Taylor Patton, West Jordan, UT; her brother, Keith (Tina) Moreland, Queen’s Creek, AZ; and finally her “kitty co-worker” KC; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bud and Lois Moreland; sister, Karlus Fruge; special mother-in-law, Anne Ficklin; and her feline soulmate, Cole. Anybody who knew Arlana knows there’s only one way she knew how to part ways…”Tootles!”