Arlene Elizabeth Groen

Rock Rapids, Iowa Arlene Groen, age 84 of Rock Rapids, IA, died Friday, September 17, 2010, at the Rock Rapids Health Centre in Rock Rapids, IA. Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, September22, 2010, at the Bethel Reformed Church rural Ellsworth, MN, with Pastor Matt Miller officiating. Burial will follow in the Bethel Reformed Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday, September 21st from 2-8 p.m. with the family present from 6-8 p.m. at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids. Arlene Elizabeth (Heikes) Groen was born on February 23, 1926, the daughter of Peter Jr. and Grace (Brommer) Heikes on a farm five miles northeast of Ellsworth, MN. She was the ninth of twelve children in her family. Arlene attended Country School District 49 by Ellsworth, MN, and later attended Ellsworth High School. On October 1, 1942, she was united in marriage to George Groen at the church parsonage. To this union two sons were born, Gene and Alan. Alan died shortly after birth. Following their marriage they lived on the farm where George was born, three miles southwest of Ellsworth. Arlene loved working on the farm with George. Arlene and George raised livestock and registered American Quarter Horses, and they participated in horse shows throughout the Midwest. She was an active member of the Bethel Reformed Church where she served faithfully. Arlene enjoyed flowers, playing cards, embroidery, and collecting antique tea pots and plates. She was very well known for her wonderful cooking and baking skills and always had her door open for those that wanted to come for lunch. But the thing that was most important to her was her family. Arlene passed away this past Friday night at the age of eighty-four at the Rapids Health Centre. Arlene is survived by her one son, Gene (Shari) Groen of Waterloo, IA; five grandchildren, Sally (John) Fastert, DeAnn (Daniel Jr.) Morton, Genna (Nathan) Rath, Gregg and Geoff Groen; seven great-grandchildren, Shelby, Sierra, Sadie and Jarrett Fastert, and Dayne, Donnae and Drayden Morton; Marilyn Groen of Rock Rapids, IA; two sisters, Ruth Wiertzema of Beverly, KY and Mildred (husband, Ralph) Lais of Magnolia, MN; two sisters-in-law, Mildred Heikes and Leona Heikes both of Luverne, MN; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; infant son; eight brothers and one sister.