Arlen West, age 89, passed away peacefully at his home in Silt, Colo. on Feb. 22, 2012, surrounded by his family. Arlen was born on Jan. 2, 1923, in Mont Ida, Kan. He was the son of Arden and Jessie (Hesp) West. Arlen graduated from Welda Kansas High School and upon graduation he joined the Air Force, where he served in World War II as an airplane and engine mechanic.

On Jan. 24, 1945, he married his high school sweetheart Edith Loewe. Upon leaving the Air Force, he spent nine years working for a construction company and then J.I. Case Company in the Industrial Division until his retirement in 1984. During those years Arlen and his family lived in many states but finally retired on his ranch he built from the ground up in Silt, Colo. His years on his ranch were spent raising Black Angus Registered cattle.

Arlen is survived by his wife Edith; son Ronald West of Silt, Colo.; son Steven (Glenna) West of Rifle, Colo.; daughter Phyllis (Jim) Ghersi of Boca Raton, Fla.; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Arlen was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Robert West; and his sister Nedra Palmer.

Arlen will be cremated and his final resting place will be in Garnett, Kan., during the spring with a memorial at that time. The family requests that contributions be given to Alpine Hospice.