Nellie Dene (McLaren) Dishen was born in a cornfield in Woodward County, Oklahoma, August 15, 1931, to Hubert Carlysle and Florence Belle (Stoner) McLaren. She passed from this life January 30, 2011 at the age of 79.

She attended school at the Arnett, Sharon and Enterprise school districts. She graduated from Arnett High School with the Class of 1949.

Dene was united in marriage to Leroy Kestler in November, 1948. The couple was blessed with two sons, Elbert and Everett, and two daughters, Louise and Ladena.

In November, 1979, Dene was united in marriage to James Carl "J.C." Dishen. This union added three step-daughters, Arleen, Darla and Carla.

Dene was an active member of the Rebekah Lodge, Cheerful Home Club, Sportsman Club, Horse Racing Association and was a Brownie and Cub Scout Den Mother. She attended and was a member of the First Christian Church in Arnett, Oklahoma. Dene enjoyed helping with funeral dinners and Vacation Bible School refreshments.

Dene held many jobs over the years including, dishwasher, nurse, waitress, farmer and gopher gate opener. Her favorite job was that of homemaker. She was a proud supporter of local school activities, local government, her community and her church. Her family was her greatest accomplishment and she dearly loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Dene was preceded in death by her husband, J.C. Dishen, parents, Lysle and Florence McLaren, grandsons, Greg Kibbe and Deven Hixson, granddaughters, Christy Clark and Angie Brown, sister, Wanda Martin, and brothers, Howard McLaren and Denzil McLaren.

She is survived by daughters, Louise Cochran and husband Don of Burkburnett, Texas and Ladena Kibbe and husband Rick of Catoosa, Oklahoma; sons, Elbert Kestler and wife Anita of Houston, Texas and Everett Kestler of Arnett, Oklahoma; step-daughters, Arleen Hixson and husband Oliver of Arnett, Oklahoma, Darla Clark and husband Earl of Yukon, Oklahoma and Carla Major of Lee's Summit, Missouri; sister, Nora Faye Ross and husband Silas of Fairview, Oklahoma; brothers, Norman McLaren and wife Donna of Hendrix, Oklahoma and Colyn McLaren of Woodward, Oklahoma; special niece Dolly Lee of Lubbock, Texas; 15 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, other family and many dear friends.