Obituary of Dina Renee Arnold

Dina Renee Arnold, 54, of Macon, passed away November 15, 2016 at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia. On July 28, 1962, Dina was born in Brookfield, MO to Ronald Dee Miller and Barbara June O’Dell Miller. She grew up in Brookfield, graduating high school as Valedictorian in 1980. Dina later relocated to Macon when she married her husband, Mike Arnold on June 3, 1988. Dina was a proud graduate of the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction Certification. She also obtained a second Masters from Northwest Missouri State University in Elementary Administration. Dina was a dedicated educator who absolutely loved teaching. She especially enjoyed the creative days and excelled at bringing fun and learning together to inspire her students. 3C ROCKS! As important as her career was, she said her greatest accomplishments were her two children and her wonderful marriage. Her home was her “happy place.” She always said that her husband and daughters were true gifts from God and that she couldn’t have been more blessed. Her sister, Shellie and other family members surrounded her with unconditional love. She enjoyed her pets, Mizzou games, “front porch sittin,” and going on family vacations, especially to Captiva Island. Dina was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church. She had a strong faith and always believed that “God has a plan,” and she trusted in Him. Every day was a gift in her eyes, and she made it a priority to count her blessings each day. She will always be remembered for her positive attitude and contagious laughter. Those preceding Dina in death are her parents; her grandmother, Ada Victoria Blackwell O’Dell and father-in-law Dan Arnold. She is survived by her husband Mike, daughters Shelby Renee Arnold of Kansas City, MO and Lauren Michele Arnold of Columbia, MO; sister Lynn Michele (Shellie) Claiborne and husband Paul; nieces Ashlie Meisner and husband Josh and their children Adalyn June and Macie Britt; Abbie Farrington and husband Lonny and their children Brooks Jordan and Libby Grace; mother-in-law Iris Arnold; sister-in-law Susan Arnold Burden; and nephews Blake and Alex Burden, all of Macon. Visitation will be Friday, November 18, 2016 at the Zion Lutheran Church from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Services will be Saturday, November 19, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. at the church followed by inurnment at Woodlawn Cemetery. Dina was passionate about multiple causes. Her family requests that donations in Dina’s honor be made to the Dina Arnold Memorial, c/o Mike Arnold, 32392 Kingston Pl., Macon, MO 63552. This will allow them to forward the donations to a variety of organizations.