Arlowene Willemssen

Arlowene Willemssen, age 89 of Sibley, IA, formerly of Little Rock, IA died Saturday, January 17, 2009 at the Osceola Community Hospital in Sibley, IA. Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Tuesday, Jan. 20th at First Presbyterian Church in Little Rock, IA, with Rev. Scott Burdsall officiating. Burial will follow at Gilman Township Cemetery in Ashton. Visitation will be Monday, Jan. 19th from 3:00 to 8:00 PM, with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Sibley. Arlowene Willemssen was born April 3, 1919 in Melvin, Iowa, the daughter of Edgar and Agnes (O'Brien) Guertin. As a young child her family moved to a farm south east of Sibley, where she attended country school and Sibley High School. On November 29, 1937, she was united in marriage to Anthony Tony Willemssen. The couple lived by Ashton, IA for a few years. In 1940 they moved to a farm south east of Sibley where they remained until 1975, when Tony retired and they moved to Little Rock, IA. Arlowene worked 29 years at Sibley Egg and Poultry formerly know as Priebes and also worked at Osceola Community Hospital, both in Sibley, before retiring in 1981. She enjoyed preparing meals for family gatherings, attending city wide garage sales with her family. She also was known for her big gardens and large canning projects at her home. She loved listening to country music, especially Alan Jackson. She was able to attend some concerts at Clay County Fair and the Sioux Falls Arena. She also helped with babysitting where she was known as the Second Grandma . On November 13, 1992, Arlowenes husband, Tony died after 54 years of marriage. Arlowene continued living in Little Rock until October 2003, when she moved to Sibley. She entered the Sibley Nursing & Rehab Center on October 2007 where she remained until this past Saturday, January 17, 2009 where she died at the age of 89. She is survived by her son, Bill (Mary) Willemssen of Spirit Lake, IA; daughter-in-law, Myrna Willemssen of Sibley, IA; six grandchildren, Brenda (Bruce) Berger of Sioux Falls, SD, Becky (Jeff) Glienke of Spirit Lake, IA, Brad (Barb) Willemssen of Sibley, IA, Brian (Kaylene) Willemssen of Jackson, MN, Kevin (Sally) Willemssen of Terrill, IA and Jodi (Mike) Van Westen of Little Rock, IA; seventeen great-grandchildren; and several extended family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tony Willemssen; an infant daughter, Marlene Willemssen; a son, Gordon Willemssen; a grandson, Bill Willemssen, Jr.; three great-grandchildren, Taylor, Nicholas and Nate Willemssen.