Arla Jean Cruzen

Arla Jean was born April 28, 1921, in Hallett, Oklahoma to Robert Ervin and Alta Pearl (McKaughan) Little and grew up around Dog Center. She later graduated from Hallett High School. On May 16, 1941 she was married to Henry Alfred Fowler in Hallett. After WWII the Fowlers moved to Wichita, Kansas where Alfred was employed by Shell Oil. While in Wichita, their son, Donald R. Fowler was born. They later moved back to Oklahoma. Arla Jean was widowed October 22, 1955. Arla Jean and son moved to Stillwater where she worked in food services at Oklahoma State University. She continued her education and completed her degree in 1962. She soon became the Dietitian for the Athletic Department, a position she held until 1968.

On October 8, 1968, Arla Jean was married to Murrel Thomas Cruzen. She moved to Cleveland and worked as a consulting dietitian to most of the area hospitals and nursing homes. After retiring, she took up arts and crafts making numerous quilts, as well as knitting, embroidering, crocheting and doing cross stitch. She also loved doing crossword puzzles.

Arla Jean lived at 204 S. Dunlap in Cleveland from 1968 until she passed at home February 20, 2016, at the age of 94 years. Exactly, 29 years to the day after the death of her husband, Murrel.

Arla Jean was a long time member of the First Christian Church in Cleveland.


Survivors are her son Donald Fowler of Cleveland, Oklahoma, four step daughters Caroline Lohmeyer of Alexandria, Minnesota, Brenda Thompson of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Doris Tennison of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Bea Granville of Springfield, Missouri and many other friends and relatives. She was preceded in death by father her Robert Ervin Little; mother Alta Pearl Little, four siblings James Maynard Little, Wayne Deloss Little, Maurice Robert Little, Dorothy Maude Little, two husbands Henry Alfred Fowler and Murrel Thomas Cruzen.

Graveside services will be held 2:00 pm Thursday, February 25, 2016 at the Woodland Cemetery with Dick Risinger officiating. Burial will be in the Woodland Cemetery under the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home. Friends may share a memory with the family online at www.chapman-black.com.