Arlene Lois (Krueger) DeForest

Arlene DeForest, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother died on September 18, 2026 at the age of 81. She was born May 10, 1945, in Victoria, Texas to the late Alois and Emilee Bethke Krueger, she grew up in Goliad County and graduated from Goliad High School.

Arlene married Alvin DeForest on September 21, 1963 and together they made their home in Ander/Goliad County where they raised two children. Her various jobs included Teacher’s Aide, County Attorney Secretary, and County Judge’s Secretary where she retired in 2004.

She was an active member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Ander for 74 years where she was confirmed and married. She was very active in Bible Study, Sunday School, and Choir.
She was also a member of the Worship and Music Committee.

Outside of church, Arlene and her husband had a small cattle operation. She enjoyed crocheting prayer shawls and putting quilt tops together for Lutheran World Relief. She tremendously enjoyed her four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years Alvin, her children Karen Saxton (Ken), and Shannon DeForest (Kari), four grandchildren: Kaid, Lucas, Emilee (Justin), Fischer, and a bonus granddaughter Michelle, three great-grandchildren Elliana, Abigail, and Olivia, her sister Eva Nell Griffith (Gerald), her sister-n-law Ina DeForest, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Visitation will be Tuesday, Sept. 22 from 5-7 pm at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Ander, Texas. Funeral Service will be Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 10 AM at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Ander, Texas. Interment will follow at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorial contributions be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Ander.

Pallbearers will be Kaid Brand, Lucas DeForest, Fischer Saxton, Eric Griffith, Adam Griffith, and Leo Henke. Honorary pallbearers are Marilyn Young, Emilee DeForest, Glenn Karnei, Ken Reininger and all the St. Peter's Lutheran Church Family.

You are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.masseyfh.com.

Services are entrusted to Massey Funeral Home. 361-564-2900

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