Arlene Gould

OBITUARY

Arlene Gould, age 84, of Plano, went to be with her Lord and Savior surrounded by the love and prayers of her family, on Monday, October 26, 2026, at Rush Copley Medical Center due to heart and kidney failure.

She was born on August 18, 1942, in Sycamore, IL, to loving parents, Oliver “Swede” and Jeanne (Keefe) Severson, Sr.

Arlene attended Maple Park Schools and graduated from Kaneland High School in June of 1960. On September 3rd of that same year, she married Norris H. Gould, Jr.

They began their new life together in Maple Park until December 3, 1963, when they moved to Plano to raise their family and make a lifetime of memories.

She was a co-owner of G-Force Labels and Printing Inc., where she worked in the bindery department. She loved working with her husband, sons and grandchildren and going out for lunch or cooking for them.

Arlene was a member of the Plano Methodist Church where she was very active as a choir member, Lay speaker, Lay Leader, director of the After School Program, youth group leader, co-director of Christmas programs and chairman of numerous committees. Through the years, she was the alumna who took it upon herself to plan and organize all the reunions for the Kaneland Class of 1960, as well as planning a yearly birthday party for the class.

Arlene was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was well known as a good baker, especially chocolate chip cookies and decorating cakes for all occasions. She had a rule that when the family ordered wedding cakes, they could not smash it in each other’s faces, a rule that all respected. She was also a very active person in the community. She and Norris owned and operated Little Rascals Children’s clothing store in Plano for 10 years, along with a 2nd location in Oswego. She was also a scout leader, room mother, started the TOPS club as a charter member, was Chairman for the Plano Hometown Days while she was the Retail Chairman of the Plano Commerce Association. Not to be outdone, Arlene also worked at Wurlitzer Piano Factory, Hornsby’s, Eagle Foods, Holiday Inn, Fisherman’s Inn, Green’s Bakery, cleaned houses and babysat to boot. She loved to play cards. Arlene was known for her kindness to others and her love for the Lord. Those who knew her will rejoice that she is home with her Lord, just as she did when her loved ones went home to Jesus.

She is survived by her daughter, Tammy Gould; sons: Greg (Dee Dee) Gould, Mike (Michelle) Gould, and Todd (Tina) Gould; one sister: Kathleen (Donny) Lampkins; grandchildren: Gregory (Ashley) Gould, Amanda Gould, Daniel “DJ” (Jessie) Gould, Michael John (Corinne Herzog) Gould, Jr. and Elizabeth Gould, Justin (Brooke) Nelson, Eric Nelson, Nichole Nelson, Matthew (Sarah) Jordan; great-grandchildren: Jake, Amelia, Aubrey, Greyson, Colton and Charlotte Arlene Gould, Bradley Gould-Michelkamp, Odin Galloway, Bennett, Cameron, Brooks, Kennedy and Beckett Nelson, and Lucas Jordan; many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, several nieces and nephews, cousins and a whole community who will mourn the loss of Arlene.

She is reunited with her husband of 62 years, Norris Gould, Jr. who passed in 2022, her parents, Oliver “Swede” Sr. and Jeanne (Keefe) Severson both in 1989; a brother, Oliver “Buck” Severson in 1997; her sister, Maxine Bruns in 2019, her grandparents and in-laws, Norris and Frances Gould, Sr. who preceded her in death.

Visitation will be from 3-7 p.m., Sunday, November 1, 2026, at the Plano Methodist Church, 219 N. Hale St, Plano, IL 60545. A funeral to celebrate her faith will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, November 2, 2026, at Plano Methodist Church, with interment at Little Rock Township Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established at Plano Methodist Church in Arlene’s name to benefit her favorite memorials. Checks may be made to the “Plano Methodist Church” and mailed to Plano Methodist Church, 219 N. Hale St., Plano, IL 60545. Memories and tributes may be left on the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.