Arlene Lorna Bell

Forever in Our Hearts

Arlene Bell of Rapid City, Manitoba, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 10, 2026, with her family by her side. She was 89 years old.

Arlene was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, auntie, teacher, and friend whose kindness and warmth touched the lives of many. Arlene was born in Shoal Lake, Manitoba to Archie and Violet McDonald. While teaching in Rapid City, she met her beloved husband, Lawrence Bell, and in 1959 they were married, beginning a partnership that lasted 60 years. Together they raised three children, Glen, Max, and Shauna, and built a life centered around family, farming, hard work, and community. She was her family’s greatest cheerleader, offering wisdom, unconditional love, and endless support.

As a teacher, Arlene was caring, positive, and patient. She was guided by a deep belief in the potential of every child and always saw the best in everyone. She took great pride in making her students feel encouraged and valued, leaving a lasting impression on the many young lives she helped shape.

Community-minded and deeply rooted in small-town life, Arlene and Lawrence were active supporters of their children’s activities and the Rapid City community. Through their involvement, they built many lifelong friendships and meaningful connections over the years.

Arlene enjoyed nature and appreciated the beauty of every season. She was a dedicated partner on the farm and a true steward of the land. Over the years, she enjoyed having her grandchildren visit and delighted in seeing the world through their eyes. Many wonderful memories were created through time spent together reading, baking, picking rocks, berries, and flowers, observing wildlife, watching the hummingbirds, and eating ice cream!

She had a special gift for preserving family memories through photography, carefully capturing treasured moments and creating beautiful photo albums that will be cherished by her family for generations to come.

Arlene will be lovingly remembered by her children: son Glen Bell and his children, Alexe (Curtis), Jesse (Travis), Robin and Mackenzie; son Max Bell; daughter, Shauna (Bill) Sherven and their children, Justin (Melissa), Jennelle (Paul), Kaitlin (Andrew), Meghan (Nathan), and 11 great-grandchildren. Sister, Bev (Gary) Phillips; sister-in-law Mary Bell; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband, Lawrence, her parents, Archie and Violet McDonald; sister, Shirley (Les) Cummins; and in-laws, Frank Bell, Margaret Greig (Bob), (Stan Greig), Islay Bell, Bella (Jack) Belcher, Neil Bell, and mother-in-law and father-in-law, Donald and Agnes Bell.

The family will honour Arlene’s life with a private service at a later date.

If so desired, donations in memory of Arlene may be sent to the Rapid City Regional Library (P.O. Box 8, Rapid City, MB R0K 1W0).

For those wishing to leave online messages of condolence, please visit www.MyAlternatives.ca/Regina.

A heartfelt thank you to the wonderful staff at Autumn Personal Care Home for their compassionate care and support of Arlene during her time there. We are forever grateful.

The following reflection is one that Arlene cherished: “Those we love can never really leave us. We feel their presence, like a gentle touch, whenever we remember moments shared and do again the things they loved to do. In so many ways, they remain with us, their gentle spirit part of all we do and all we are.”