Heaven became a whole lot sweeter on Friday, September 25, 2026, as God’s cherished daughter, Mary Margaret (Maggie) Arnold, triumphantly entered Heaven as the choir of angels rejoiced in her homecoming.
Maggie was surrounded by her children until the final wisp of breath passed her lips.
There is no higher calling than that of being a Mother, and Maggie began her life-long career of Motherhood in late 1962. She gave life to five children, Ed, Katie, David, Pat, and Mary all in a six-year span who she selflessly, joyfully, and lovingly devoted her own life to.
Her unwavering Catholic faith, love for Jesus, daily Rosaries, and mass attendance provided her with strength, courage, and resilience to provide a steady presence in the lives of her children and grandchildren; all the while navigating the demanding and challenging roles of being a rancher’s wife, insurance agent, and small business owner.
Maggie was a grandmother or “Nana” to seven, great-grandmother to 17, and the best dog-grandma to Dutchess.
She provided a place of safe harbor filled with unconditional love, affection, and special attention through personalized traditions and gentle guidance to the “grands,” that were truly the apple of her eye.
Maggie was a dedicated champion for the lives of the unborn babies through years of support of the National Right to Life committee. She extended her love as a mother to millions of unborn children through her tears of grief, steadfast prayers, and Rosaries.
The water and the sun were favorites of hers. She loved spending time with her family camping, on the family boat at Flaming Gorge, sailing on a private sailboat around the British Virgin Islands, and sunning on the beaches of Greece. Maggie enjoyed the adventures of traveling to England, Scotland, Ireland, the beaches of Mexico, Alaska, and Glacier National Park.
Maggie did not know how to cook when she was first married but was coached, over the phone, by her mother-in-law Pat, on how to make gravy and soon became an excellent cook and baker - even Saturday “fridge clean-out day” turned into a gourmet goulash for her kids. She enjoyed watching sports (Utah Jazz basketball, football and baseball), playing Uno and board games with the grandkids, and going on picnics. Music ranging from classical, jazz, classic rock and roll and Catholic hymns was a real passion of hers. She commanded the room with her dance moves to Neil Diamond, Helen Reddy, and Mercy Me.
Above all, Maggie loved to love. She will forever be missed and cherished.
Born on July 8, 1943, Maggie was the only child of Helen (Foley) Howard and Robert “Bob” Howard. She was born in Santa Cruz, CA where her father served as a medic in the U.S. Navy. The family moved to Troy, KS when she was a toddler. Her father owned the local drug store, where Bob worked as a pharmacist and Helen as a store clerk while also tending the ice cream parlor—a favorite place for Maggie. She attended grade school and Catholic Mass in the quaint community of Troy. Maggie also took piano and ballet lessons where she became extremely talented; she had a true gift and love for music and dance. She attended high school at Mount St. Scholastica in Atchinson, KS where she thoroughly enjoyed living the “boarding room life” with so many other young women! Maggie met her husband, Tom Arnold in high school, and the couple married on June 30, 1962. They made their home on a cattle ranch north of Cody, NE, for several years before moving to the small community of Cody in the mid-1970s. They raised their five children there before relocating to Bountiful, UT in the late 1980s where they partnered to build a successful environmental business.
Tom passed away in Valentine, NE in 2014 and Maggie later lived with her youngest son.
Mary Margret “Maggie” Arnold passed away peacefully in Bountiful, UT with her children at her side on Friday, September 25, 2026.
Maggie is survived by her five children; Ed (Kim) Arnold, Katie Arnold, David (Larisa) Arnold, Pat Arnold, Mary (Lance) Christensen. She is also survived by her seven grandchildren, Brad (Morgan) Arnold, Alisha Salinas, Luke (Darci) Arnold, Chris (Ashley) McDonnell, Sarah (Chris) Danielski, James (Kelsea) Pontius, and Thomas Arnold.
She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Daxton Salinas, Charleigh Salinas, Kinzlee McDonnell, Lincoln Arnold, Madilyn McDonnell, Maggie Arnold, Oaklee Salinas, Kellen Arnold, Konnor Arnold, Collins Arnold, Henley McDonnell, Jameson Pontius, Oliver Danielski, Atlas Arnold, Holden Pontius, and Amelia Danielski.
Maggie was preceded in death by her parents, Helen and Bob Howard, her son-in-law Curtis Broadhead, son-in-law Roger Brown, and her great grandson, Brooks Arnold.
A Rosary will be held on Friday October 9, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. MST at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Nenzel, NE.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday October 10, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. MST at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Nenzel, NE, with Father Neal Nollett and Father Lou Nollett officiating.
Following the funeral Mass, Maggie will be laid to rest at Mount Hope Cemetery in Valentine, NE.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the National Right to Life Committee in Maggie’s honor is appreciated.
Sandoz Chapel of the Pines is overseeing arrangements.
