Arlene Janette Kensinger

THE LIVE WEBCAST OF MRS. KENSINGER'S SERVICES WILL AUTOMATICALLY SHOW UP BY CLICKING ON THE PHOTO AND VIDEO TAB ON THIS PAGE SHORTLY BEFORE HERE SERVICES BEGIN ON WEDNESDAY AT 2:00 PM.


Arlene Janette Brown Kensinger, Born in Newberg, Oregon 6/18/30 to S. Paul and Bernice Brown went to be with her LORD on March 25, 2020. She Is survived by her sister Alice Brown Theobald (Lance) of Pine Bluffs, brother-in-law, Roland Marlatt of Torrington and step daughter Donna Kensinger, step grandchildren, Robert, Randy and Lesa, 6 step great grandchildren, cousins and nephews and nieces and all of her Rodeo Family. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Don in 1997, and one sister Pauline Marlatt in 2002.
She graduated in 1948 from Hawk Springs, Wyoming. Attended Beauty School in Cheyenne and was a cosmetologist and makeup artist for over 35 years.
Arlene married Don Kensinger in June of 1960. They worked together the rodeo life style, working for Verne Elliott, Harry Knight, The Buetler Brothers, Mike Cervie, Billie Minnick, and Harry and Karen Vold. In the winter they went to Acapulco, Mexico for 20 years water-skiing. Arlene became an expert water skier, holding the record of the womens slalom course, tricks pyramids, one leg stand, surfing, everything. Movies were made with this ski group in the background. Later enjoyed dancing and swimming in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
Don passed away on October 15, 1997 after many years volunteering for Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo for over 60 years. This was more severe loss than the loss of her leg. He was a true legend in the rodeo world!
Arlene organized a Quadrille Team and performed for 10 years, including the Wild West Show and Rodeo at the World’s Fair in Brussels Belgium in 1958.
Arlene was the Founder and Director of the Dandies of the “Daddy of ‘Em All” in 1970 for29 years. Giving them the lesson learned from her Father, Paul Brown a School Superintendent, “Discipline, Love and Fun,” which has guided her entire life.
Started and served as State Queen Chaperone and Schedule Coordinator for Cheyenne Frontier Days for 18 years, growing from 3 to over 30 National and State Queens.
She had a freak boating accident Sept 20, 1994 in Lake Havasu City, Arizona and lost her leg at the hip, within minutes of death, she received 23 pints of blood in a 24 hr period and was then flown to Phoenix, Arizona, to their Trauma Center.
God still had plans for her to accomplish, so 2 months later she went to Las Vegas, Nevada to escort and chapter Miss Rodeo America Queen Michele Greene. The little girl she had judged when she won the National Little Britches Pageant at 10 years old.
She also attended Amputee Coalition of America Conventions with encouraging words to use prostheses, keep going and not indulge in self-pity.
After first hand experiencing the need for life saving blood donors, Arlene and her husband Don organized a Fund to build a United Blood Service building in Cheyenne, which was named in her honor.
Arlene served on the Miss Rodeo Wyoming Board for 10 years, as State Delegate and President.
A Miss Rodeo America volunteer since 1979, one of the first 2 women elected to the Executive Board, serving about 12 years. She started the Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation. Authored 6 books 50 year history of Miss Rodeo America.
Has been inducted in the following Hall of Fames:
Tad Lucas Award in the Rodeo Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City in 1995,
Cowgirls of the West Museum, Cheyenne WY in 2000,
First Class of Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame, Cheyenne in 2002,
National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame Ft Worth, TX in 2002,
Miss Rodeo America Hall of Fame, Las Vegas in 2004, and was honored by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution in 2009.

Arlene has said “These are truly a highlight and humbling event in my life, but the greatest reward is to have helped train 600 young women, showing them the value of a positive attitude and encourage them to pursue our western way of life.

Arlene believed that a positive attitude is our most important asset in life, and we are the only one that has control of it! “A bad attitude is the worst handicap one can have!”
This has truly been a legacy of pride, grit and stamina to leave behind which cannot be surpassed.
Friends can donate to the Old West Museum Hall of Fame, P.O. Box 2720, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82003, the Arlene Kensinger Regional Blood Center, 112 East 8th Avenue, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001, or the charity of your choice.