Arlene Sanders
Arlene Sanders
Arlene Sanders
July 6, 1921 – June 23, 2020
Grinnell (Montezuma), Iowa | Age 98
Arlene Sanders, 98 of Grinnell and formerly of rural Montezuma passed away peacefully Tuesday, morning June 23, 2020 at the Grinnell Healthcare Center in Grinnell. Edith Arlene Sanders, the daughter of James and Linna (Shelby) Vail, was born on July 6, 1921 near Gibson, Iowa.
Arlene attended country school before graduating from Gibson High School in 1938.
On January 14, 1939, Arlene was united in marriage to Lyle Sanders in Lancaster, Missouri.
Arlene liked to work outside with machinery and was first and foremost a farmer’s wife. She was a faithful member of the Montezuma United Methodist Church where she served as secretary for 26 years and also taught Sunday School for several years. Arlene was also very active in the Rebekah Lodge where she held a position as a state officer. She also found time to be a sponsor of a girl’s club as part of the Lodge.
Arlene was proud of her garden and enjoyed sewing, crocheting, playing cards, doing puzzles and above all spending time with her family.
After they quit farming, Lyle and Arlene began wintering in Weslaco, Texas which was in the Rio Grande Valley. It was at that time that Arlene found a love for shuffleboard and began running all of the shuffleboard tournaments in the Rio Grande Valley. She also was very good and won several trophies when playing. Arlene was very proud to have helped organize the world’s largest shuffleboard tournament held in Weslaco, Texas.
Her legacy will be honored by her grandchildren: Loren (& Renee) Sanders of Montezuma and Stacy (& Doug) Helm of Montezuma; great grandchildren: Morgan (& Zachary) Dickenson, Dillon Sanders, Shane Helm, Shelby (& Jude Teumer) Helm and Dmytro (& Katherine Plotzke) Kravchuk; her daughter-in-law, Linda (& John) Dodds; her sister, Luella (& Delmer) Berstler of Cedar Rapids; and many other relatives and friends.
Arlene was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lyle Sanders; her son, Larry Sanders; three children in infancy: Anna Marie Sanders, Etta Louise Sanders and Raymond James Sanders; and her brother and sister-in-law, Harlan (& Donna) Vail.
Funeral services will begin at 10:30 am Saturday, June 27, 2020 at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in Montezuma with Pastor John Dodds officiating.
Burial will be held in Jackson Township Cemetery in Montezuma.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners or St. Vincent de Paul Missions (a mission that Arlene supported).
Holland-Coble Funeral Home of Montezuma is in charge of arrangements.
