Arlette Mae Chowen
Arlette Mae Chowen passed at Medilodge of Suttons Bay Friday, August 8, 2025. Arlette was born May 6, 1938, to Orphia (Dunn) Cradit and John Jesse King in Bay City. However, at a young age she moved to Onaway with her family where she attended school and graduated from Onaway High School in 1956.
On July 6, 1957 she married Hugh Chowen and they were blessed with 65 years of marriage and five children, Steve (LeaAnne) Chowen, Julie (Jesús Argente) Chowen, Yvonne (Tim) Patterson, Matthew (Tanya) Chowen and Jennifer (Shon) Chowen Plowman; grandchildren, Ashlee (Jordan) Cowles, Haylee (Adam) Nelson, Mollee (Zach) Fishaw, Jacob (Lydia) Patterson, Joe (Aimee) Patterson, Jeff Patterson, Jared Chowen, Hollee (Arrick) Rodgers, Kaelee (Lee) Hawkins, Akron Plowman and Kade Plowman; and great-grandchildren, Sophia, James, Charlotte, Luke, Ben, Declan, Morgan, Arwen, Reilly, Marcella, Isla, Jack, Oliver, Archer, Chance and Emerald. She recently expanded her family to incorporate into her heart her stepson, Chris (Staci) Bishop; grandchildren, Levi Bishop, Brice (Abby) Bishop, Adam (Jazmyn) Bishop and Simeon (Heather Kullgren) Bishop; and great-grandchildren Landon, Evelyn, Riley, Mary, Leigh, Madelyn and Rowan.
Arlette always said the only thing she ever wanted to be in life was a mother and she dedicated everything she had and knew to her children. She often referred to herself as a taxi driver, although Hugh called her “the roadrunner,” during the time when her children needed to go to football, baseball, basketball, track, cheerleading, band, etc., practice. She could be found at every game or performance cheering everyone on, but also at every fundraiser and donating her time when needed for any school or social activity. She was a Cub Scout den mother, a Brownie leader, and a 4-H leader. She taught whoever wanted to learn to sew, knit, can or cook, all of which she did very well. One of her favorite activities was to bake bread with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, doing so recently even when it was difficult for her to move. She was a longtime member of the Smiling Circle Club. She donated time to her parish and was a true Christian.
Indeed, this defines Arlette, a true Christian-loving, giving and forgiving person. Some memorable advice that she gave her children was “There will always be someone worse-off than you and you should always be generous and understanding with everyone,” and she did not necessarily mean money. Indeed, she tried to live by this rule, as difficult as it was at times.
When her children grew up and moved away, Arlette did not stop. She loved to meet her friends and family for coffee, play bingo, work in her flower garden and shop. Indeed, she was always looking for a bargain at yard sales and thrift shops. She also loved to do crafts to give as gifts. Furthermore, if anyone said, “Would you like to ….,” it was a yes even before she knew what the plan was. Although she missed being close to her grandchildren while they were growing, she also took advantage of any opportunity to visit them wherever they were living. She traveled to various states, including Washington, Hawaii, Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, and Kentucky and was able to spend time with her children and grandchildren in Germany and Spain. She loved every minute of it and was always ready to go again.
Arlette really was game for anything and even when it became difficult for her to get around, she did not want to stop. When her health and mobility began to fail considerably, she moved to Medilodge in Leelanau to be closer to family and to have the continuous care she needed; however, this did not keep her down. In no time at all she made new friends and began encouraging everyone there to participate in activities, motivating people that had never participated in anything to come out of their rooms. She succeeded. She also suggested new activities, as she never seemed to have enough to keep her busy. For example, together with her daughter Jennifier, an annual prom was instated. It was a huge hit, and they were already working on the decorations for this year’s event. She made it part of her day to visit residents that were lonely or ailing and to share whatever treats she had, as well as her puppies when they visited. She loved sharing stories with everyone about her family and showing the numerous photographs she had of everyone she loved all over her wall. She also discovered an unknown facet of her personality as a fashion trend-setter. She loved dressing up every day, with flowers in her hair, and listening to the comments as she went by. Arlette even helped others to feel better by dressing up, giving them clothing
However, the most important thing for her was spending time with her family and she will be tremendously missed. In addition to her offspring, she leaves her sister, Darlene (Dick) Nuss; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Hugh; her parents; sisters, Sharon Williams, Judy Decker and Carla King; brothers, John “Jack” King and Victor King; and stepsister, Bonnie Tallman.
Visitation will be held at Chagnon Funeral Home Friday, August 15, from 4 p.m. until the rosary service at 7 p.m. Arlette’s funeral Mass will be at St. Paul Catholic Church in Onaway at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 16, with burial to follow at St. Paul Catholic Cemetery.
