Arnita R. Kendall

1929-2017 Arnita R. Kendall (Mann), age 88, a former resident of Belen, passed away in Albuquerque after a brief illness. She was born in Pemberton, Minnesota on March 22, 1929 and grew up just outside of Janesville, Minnesota with her parents, Fred and Lillie Mann, and sisters, Leona, Arlene and Lorene. Arnita’s father passed away when she was young, so her mother and sisters moved from the family farm into town. She graduated from Janesville High School in 1947. Arnita would tell us a story about how her career with the Railroad came about—that a man came through town telling of good jobs available with the Railroad. So, fearless on the outside but nervous on the inside, she jumped at the opportunity. Thus began short stints in many different towns in several states; staying at YMCAs and renting rooms in people’s homes all while learning how to be a Telegraph Operator. That job landed her in Albuquerque then ultimately, Belen. She worked at the Belen yard until her retirement in 1973. Arnita met Henry Kendall at the Railroad yard and married him on January 13, 1965. She became a wife and a mom that day and she excelled at both. My dad frequently told a funny story using a play on her maiden name, “That ‘Nita needed a Mann so I came runnin’!” He always laughed the hardest and enjoyed telling that one to whoever would listen. My parents built a house just outside of Belen with my dad’s brother, Earl. They made a beautiful home together even winning a couple of “Beautification Awards” from the City of Belen. Folks around there still remember and talk about all the poppies that would voluntarily grow all around the property. My parents had 48 years of love, admiration and craziness together. It was wonderful! Arnita is preceded in death by her husband, Henry Kendall (2013); her son, Michael Kendall (1996); her parents, Fred and Lillie Mann; and her sisters, Leona Hinze and Arlene Meyer. She is survived by her daughter, Sandi King and husband, Marti of California; her granddaughter, Kerri Ramos and husband, Kevin of California; her grandson, Alan King and wife, Kaycee of Oregon; her two great-grandsons, Koehn Ramos and Kolton Ramos of California; her sister, Lorene and husband, Ralph of Minnesota; her sister-in-law, Luana Kendall of Clovis, NM; her brother-in-law, Graham Kendall and wife, Mary of North Carolina; and many nieces and nephews. All services will take place on Friday, December 22, 2017. A Celebration of Life will be held at Christ the King Lutheran Church located at 700 Camelot Blvd., Los Lunas, NM 87031 at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be at Santa Fe National Cemetery in Santa Fe, NM at 2:15 p.m. Pallbearers will be Marti King, Alan King, Kevin Ramos, Koehn Ramos, Kolton Ramos and Sandra King. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Arnita’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association or the charity of your choice. Please sign Arnita’s online tribute at www.romerofuneralhomenm.com Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St. Belen, NM.

Arnita R. Kendall

March 22, 1929 - December 13, 2017