Esther Jean (Gorath) Arnold

January 2, 1944 – September 14, 2026

Esther Jean (Gorath) Arnold, age 82, of Watonga, Oklahoma, was visiting her daughter in Jones, Oklahoma, where she died on September 14, 2026.

Born on January 2, 1944, in the Perry, Oklahoma Centennial farmhouse of both her father and siblings, she was the daughter of Fred E. Gorath and Junie U. (Anderson) Gorath. After graduating from Perry High School in 1962, she went to Northern Oklahoma Junior College in Tonkawa and earned a Certificate of Completion in General Business. There, she met her future husband, Merle Arnold. She worked at John A. Brown Department Store until Merle swept her off her feet and married her in Perry on April 18, 1964.

Her daughter, Rachel, was born in Woodward in 1964, and her son was born in Pryor in 1967. They settled in Watonga in 1969. Her family fulfilled her fondest dreams, and she was a homemaker who undertook diverse tasks, including sewing, upholstery, cooking, gardening, canning, and cleaning. She was always available to help her in-laws, Charley and Sadie Arnold, with working cattle and controlled burns, among other things. She was involved in Mount Calvary Lutheran Church activities, including Vacation Bible School and printing bulletins. Her third child, Cindy, was born in 1982.

After years of domestic violence, her divorce was finalized in 1986. She began to flourish. She went back to school at El Reno Junior College, followed by the Canadian Valley Area Vocational and Technical School, where she graduated in computer repair in 1988. However, her calling was in service. In the same year, she began her role as a housekeeper at Watonga Hospital. This position transitioned to Mercy Hospital of Watonga. She was awarded Employee of the Quarter in 2000. She served 26 years and retired in 2015. Esther also sold her decorated cakes.

Esther was involved in the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, Girl Scouts, 4-H, Watonga Hospital Auxiliary, Senior Citizen Exercise group, Friends of the Ferguson Home Museum, and Oklahoma Home & Community Education for 25 years. As a Watonga Hospital Auxiliary member, she helped with blood drives, hamburger fundraisers, trail ride fundraisers, bake sales, and delivering food. As an OHCE member, she volunteered at the County Fair and the Watonga Cheese Festival. For Friends of the Ferguson Home Museum, she served as vice president in 2023 and 2024 and participated in tea parties, July 4th celebrations, student visits, and birthday celebrations for the home. She also made cakes for County Fair auctions and the Lions Club fundraiser.

She often spoke about her kids and grandkids as her biggest achievement, as evidenced by her saving every report card that she rewarded. She was named the 4-H Leader of Blaine County in 2001, received numerous ribbons at the County Fair, and earned the American Legion’s Watonga Yard of the Month. The Friends of the Ferguson Home Museum recognized her with a plaque that says “Iris Garden by Esther Arnold” that will be placed in the iris garden she planted and tended.

Her favorite vacation spots included family. She went to Denmark to see relatives. She went to Disney World and many national parks with kids and grandkids. She embarked on a Caribbean cruise, Panama cruise and a South Pacific cruise, which disembarked in Australia. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, genealogy, cooking, painting, and canning. She was also adventurous. She tried riding a pony, a horse, a camel, a trail bike, a motorcycle, skateboarding, rafting, snorkeling, canoeing, kayaking, hot air ballooning, and skydiving.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Ernest F. Gorath, sister, Laura M. (Gorath) Bourlon, and daughter, Cindy L. (Arnold) Latty.

Survivors include: her daughter, Rachel A. Lake and husband James of Jones, Oklahoma; son, Norville L. Arnold with Cynthia of Stillwater, Oklahoma; grandsons, Kristopher R. Lake and wife Shelby of Comstock Park, Michigan, Newly K. Arnold-Billy of Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Brian A. Lake of Edmond, Oklahoma; nephews, Pepper L. Bourlon of Rudy, Arkansas, Toby W. Bourlon of Van Buren, Arkansas, Terry W. Bourlon of Van Buren, Arkansas, and John F. Gorath of Perry, Oklahoma; nieces, Jennifer P. (Bourlon) Lamproe of Uniontown, Arkansas, and Cathy (Gorath) Hayes of Perry, Oklahoma; and many great-nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, 621 North Leach Street, Watonga, Oklahoma. The graveside committal service will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Grace Hill Cemetery, Perry, Oklahoma. Pastor Pepper Bourlon will officiate the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to a local organization supporting victims and survivors of domestic violence, breast cancer, Alzheimer’s / dementia, or the many organizations that Esther participated in and touched her life.