Arlowene Mae Vess, 89

Arlowene “Arlo” M. Vess, 89, of Sagle, Idaho, passed away quietly in her sleep in her home Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. 

She was born Arlowene Mae Akkerman on Feb. 13, 1936, in Austin, Minn., the first child of Charlotte Pearl (Nee Englemann) and Carl Cecil Akkerman. A graduate of Austin High School, Class of 1954, she went on to attend Concordia College in St. Paul, Minn., and Portland, Ore., making lifelong friends there.

On Oct. 3, 1959, she married Bonner County native, Terry Dean Vess, in Othello, Wash., at Paradise Lutheran Church. The couple lived in Spokane and Ritzville, Wash., before settling down in Othello.

In 1963, they started Vess Jewelry and welcomed their first child. In the mid-1980s, Arlo and her friend, Josephine Kliphardt, opened the Old Hotel Bakery. The bakery closed in 1986 when Arlo joined Terry in the newly expanded Vess Jewelry and gift shop. Vess Jewelry closed in October 1996, when Terry and Arlo retired and moved to Sagle, Idaho.

Arlowene was a member of the Newman Bible Church in Sagle. At home she was often observed reading her Bible and making notes. She was a kind, generous woman who loved her family and friends.

Arlo was preceded in death by her husband, Terry D. Vess; her son, Adam D. Vess; her parents, Charlotte and Carl Akkerman; and her brother, Daryl J. Akkerman. She is survived her daughter, Stacy-Sue Cobb of Sagle, Idaho; son Tommy L. Conn of Quincy, Wash.; brother Lenoard (Patricia) Akkerman of Sagle, Idaho; five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, Aug. 23, at 10 a.m. at Coffelt Funeral Service. 

Family and friends are invited to sign Arlowene's online guest book at coffeltfuneral.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.