Arlene Marie (Zinck) Cline was born on July 26, 1923 in Cleveland, North Dakota as the first child of Olive Marie (Snider) and John Fred George Zinck.  She attended grade school and two years of high school in Cleveland before graduating from Medina High School in Medina, North Dakota in 1941.  Upon graduation, Mrs. Cline studied at Valley City State Teachers' College and graduated in 1946 with a two year professional teaching certificate.  She continued her education at Valley City and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1971.  In addition, Mrs. Cline attended the University of North Dakota and Dickinson State University for post-graduate classes.

Arlene Cline was employed as an educator for 39 years: two years in rural schools in Stutsman and Mercer County, North Dakota, four years in Sterling, North Dakota, seven years in Stanton, North Dakota, two years as Mercer County Superintendent of Schools, 10 years in Hazen, North Dakota, and 14 years in Dickinson, North Dakota.  While actively teaching, Mrs. Cline was a member of the National Education Association, International Reading Association, North Dakota Reading Association, and Badlands Reading Council.  She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society, International, and served as State Treasurer.  Mrs. Cline retired from teaching in 1985 and continued to live in Dickinson until 2005.  In July 2005, she moved to Lawton, Oklahoma and has resided at The Brentwood (formerly The Village on Lee) until her death on December 23, 2017.  During this time, she served as the President of the Residents' Council for many years and led exercise classes and devotions for her fellow residents. Her faith in Jesus Christ was evident to all her met her.  She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Women's Missionary League.

Arlene Zinck married Avern Boyd Cline on July 30, 1943.  Mr. Cline died on June 14, 1990.  She is survived by their three children:  Colonel (Retired) Richard A. Cline and his wife, Beate, of Leonburg, Germany,  Colonel (Retired) Robert A. Cline, and his wife, Darcy, of Lawton, Oklahoma, and Carol L. Carlson, and her husband, Paul, of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.  Also surviving are four grandchildren, Amber Cline-Rabah, Christa (Cline) Bear, and her husband, Craig, Christopher Cline, and Christina Cline, and five great-grandchildren, Aaron, Benjamin, Colston, and Donovan Bear, and Grayson Rabah.  Arlene is also survived by her brother, Howard Zinck, as well as many nieces and nephews from her brother and five deceased siblings.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, stepfather, Tony Sazama, four brothers, Ralph, who gave his life in service to his country during the Korean War, Gerald (Jerry), Richard (Dick), William (Bill) Zinck, and her sister, Dorothy (Zinck) Haskins.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, December 29, 2017 at 1:00 pm with the Rev. Dr. Bill Schneider officiating at St. John Lutheran Church, 102 SW 7th Street, Lawton, Oklahoma  73501.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. John Lutheran Church.