Arlene Stark Quenon

EAGLE, Colo. - Former Watersmeet resident Arlene Stark Quenon, 87, died March 21, 2022, in Eagle. She was a proud "Yooper" who never forgot her roots.

Born Oct. 19, 1934, to farmer and lumberjack Jim Stark and his wife, Molly, Arlene grew up in the U.P. Her father taught her to fish, shoot rifles, and to love the outdoors.

In 1954, Arlene married fellow Michigan State student, Max Quenon. Max's homebuilding career took them El Paso, Texas, where they raised their family of seven kids. Arlene was the first woman to be elected to the El Paso City Council. After the kids were grown, the Quenons relocated to Colorado in 1989.

Throughout her life, Arlene, like her parents, was active in whatever community she lived in. She volunteered her time for varied causes including mental health, parks and recreation, and land and water conservation. In 1982, she returned to school to earn a law degree, and subsequently established a private practice in Colorado.

Her retirement years were adventurous including travel to 32 countries and throughout the United States. Although she was a seasoned world traveler, Arlene always placed great value on her years in the U.P. She also deeply valued her ties to the Zelinski family.

Arlene is survived by her husband, Max; and seven children (sons, Max, Chuck, Sam, Pat and Dan Quenon; and daughters, Jan Holt and Kay McCarty); 10 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

The family suggests that memorial donations in Arlene's memory be made to the Land and Rivers Fund, c/o the Eagle River Watershed Council, P.O. Box 1477, Gypsum, CO 81637, or online at landandrivers.org.