Margaret Arnzen Obituary

Early morning, June 27, Marge saddled ol' Tracy, mounted up, jumped the fence and headed to heaven; Shorty needed a clerk at heaven's Friday cow sale.
Margaret Vada Spencer was born April 26, 1937, in Jerome, Idaho to Vade and Margaret Spencer. She attended grade school on Joseph Plains and Doumecq, riding her horse to and from school. In 1955 she was a proud graduate of Cottonwood High School and soon after attended Kinman's Business University in Spokane.
December 27, 1955, Marge married Shorty Arnzen and a lifelong partnership of 62 years began, agriculture, every aspect – farming, ranching and in front and center – livestock and machinery auctions comprised the heart and soul of this incredible partnership. Marge and Shorty lived a short while in Yakima, WA, before moving back home to manage the Cottonwood Sales Yard and shortly thereafter Spencer Livestock Commission Co with her parents. After her Father's death in 1972 they became sole owners of the Cottonwood Sales Yard and soon formed Arnzen Auction Service, which followed with countless farm and estate sales. Their biggest endeavor was the construction of the new Cottonwood Sales Yard facility in 1976. Above all, when push came to shove, Marge ran the show! Though short in stature, Marge was tall on try and tolerated absolutely no B.S.
Marge and Shorty enjoyed vacations centered around the Livestock Marketing Association's annual conventions, which brought them to visit a vast majority of the United States. They had the pleasure of being accompanied at times on these adventures with their good friends, Dale & Arleen Branson and Chuck & Betty Mader.
She was a 4-H leader for the Fenn Livestock 4-H Club and clerked the Idaho Co. 4-H Livestock Sale for countless years. In 2007 Shorty and Marge had the distinct pleasure of serving as the Grand Marshal's of the Idaho Co. Fair. She adored her grandchildren, enjoyed gardening, playing cards and her passion of promoting the Republican party. After "retiring" she gained employment with Shawn Seubert at Small Butte Construction in Cottonwood. They were a force to be reckoned with in the world of dirt.
A true believer in the Constitution of the United States and the Declaration of Independence Marge was a staunch Republican. Marge and Shorty were co-founding members of the Idaho County Young Republicans. She served as Precinct Committee Woman and Chair of the Idaho County Republican Central Committee for many years.
In 2011 Marge and Shorty received the Idaho Republican Party Hall of Fame Outstanding Republican Worker Award; 2021 brought the Great American and Great Republican Award from the Idaho County Republican Central Committee and in 2022 the Idaho Republican Party Hall of Fame honored Mom with a Lifetime Achievement Award. She gained respect from her constituents, and was often called upon to set things straight, of which she undoubtedly did.
She is survived by her three children, Pam Donaldson, Nick Arnzen and Debby (Joe) O'Neill. Grandchildren include Ginny (Steve King) Gordon, Chantel (Branden) Bowers, Roscoe (Serena) Arnzen, Vade (Christy Hauck) Arnzen, Brooks Arnzen, Noah (Taylor Chwalek) Arnzen and Jake (Keely) Rowland. Thirteen great grandchildren round out the family. Surviving sisters-in-law are Mariel Arnzen and Helen Arnzen. Preceding Marge in death was her husband, Urban J "Shorty" Arnzen, her parents, Vade and Margaret Spencer, and her brother, Glen Spencer.
A viewing will be held on Wednesday, July 2, at Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville, Idaho from 6 to 8 p.m. A Rosary and Catholic Mass will be held Thursday, July 3, 2025 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Cottonwood, Idaho, with the Rosary beginning at 9:30 a.m., Mass at 10:00 a.m. with burial following at the Cottonwood Catholic Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Blackmer Funeral Home, Grangeville. Send condolences to the family to blackmerfuneralhome.com.
The family would like to thank the caregivers at Golden Girls Residential Care and Marge's many friends who stayed in touch throughout her final years. In lieu of flowers please send donations to LC Valley Parkinson's Resource, Syringa Hospital Hospice or a charity of your choice.
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