"Tim & Family, We?ve never met but my mom was a close friend & classmate of your mom growing up on their farms outside Webster near White Pigeon. My mom died Dec 2018 at 101. Your Aunt Audrey lived to be 103, too, if I remember correctly. We use to joke that there must be something special about that area of Iowa! I would help my mom call your mom from Moses Lake, Washington where my parents moved after WWII. My mom?s name was Gladys Pearl Dillon. She had a lot of trouble hearing in her later years. I finally met your mom in May 2019 while I was visiting for a family reunion. We had a wonderful visit with her telling me stories about what teenagers of their generation would get up to. She told me about them riding horseback on my grandfather?s work horse to play practice after school in White Pigeon. On the way home they would ride by moonlight & not get home until 11 pm sometimes. My Uncle Frank would sometimes be with them. She told several stories about how they had a group of 4 girls that did a lot of things together. She wanted to find a picture of the 4 of them to give to me but couldn?t find it. I just remember what a joy it was to visit with her. She was such a good story teller & kind person. I had hoped to see her again last May but Covid kept that from happening. It took me some time to track down that she had passed. I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that I will be thinking of her happy stories whenever I think of my mom?s childhood. She will be greatly missed. I?m leaving my contact info in case you want to get in touch. I?m going through my parents? photos & memorabilia & might come across something you?d be interested in. God bless you. Sincerely, Barbara Tracy greenmomma2002@yahoo.com 503-704-6273"
In loving memory of
Opal Arlene Winegarden
April 1, 1917 - June 6, 2020
Arlene Winegarden died June 6, 2020 at Garnett Place Assisted Living Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa at 103 years of age. She was born on April 1, 1917 to Earl and Ethyl Bair on the family farm near Webster, Iowa. She attended school in Webster and graduated from Webster Consolidated High School, Keokuk County, in 1934. After graduating, she followed the midwives at local families' homes and cared for the new mothers and their infants.
She married Virgil Lee Winegarden on December 21, 1940. They farmed near Webster until Virgil was drafted into the US Army in May of 1942. She often told stories about staying with other army wives in boarding houses in Alabama, Arizona and California. After Virgil returned from the war, they farmed southwest of Webster. She was active in the Women's Society of Christian Service. They moved to Sigourney after retiring in 1987. She then moved to Garnett Place in Cedar Rapids in 2013 to be closer to her family.
Arlene is survived by her son, Timothy (Susan) Winegarden; 2 grandchildren, Anne (Chris) Garinger and Jill Winegarden; 3 step-grandchildren, Heidi Altorfer, Amy (Jon) Severance, and Bill (Lauren) Altorfer; and 3 great-grandchildren. Our heartfelt thanks go out to the staff at Garnett Place for the loving care they gave her for over 7 years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Ethyl Bair; husband, Virgil Lee Winegarden; brothers, Buford Bair and Arnold (Cub) Bair; sister, Audrey Johnston; and sister-in-law Frances (Francee) Bair.
A private family only service will be held at the Powell Funeral Home in North English on Saturday, June 13, 2020 at 1:00 pm. Friends may view the service on the Powell Funeral Home Facebook page. Burial will be in the Sorden Cemetery, rural Webster. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the Webster United Methodist Church or the Sigourney United Methodist Church. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com
Tributes
"Tim and Sue, Our condolances from Bill and Chris Bowman, Abigail and Jeremy Thoman, and Ashely and Cory Williams. I have so many wonderful memories of spending time with Arlene and Virgil Lee when I was growing up back in the mid 1960's. Tim was already well into dental college by then. I'd spend the night there and Arlene would get out Tim's Beach Boy albums and play them for me. One of many nice memories. Arlene was always kind, caring, and gentle. She never said a bad word about anyone. I was so fortunate to say she was my Aunt Arlene. She has left a lasting and loving presence with all of us. - Just Plain Bill"
"So sorry for your loss. Jackie Picard Galveston Texas"
"Arlene and Virgil Lee were good friends of our family and we also all went to the Webster Methodist Church. I would clean the church for Arlene when it was her turn and she was also one of my Sunday School teachers. I still have the Avon snowflake paper weight she gave me one year. I get it out every year and think of them. She will be fondly remembered as such a sweet caring person. "
"Dear Tim and Sue, This world has lost a beautiful, kind and living soul. Your Mom and Dad were next door neighbors to my parents, Don and Bonnie Easter. The memories I have are many and I will cherish those always. The last time I visited your Mom, she reminded me that she prayed for us daily. What an amazing and faithful person she was. She kept me going when I lost my Mom to cancer in 2008. Her kind heart and words of comfort were such a blessing to me and my brother. I will never forget the stories and the laughs we shared together. May God bring you peace and comfort during this difficult time. Sincerely, Mary Easter Kunce, Altoona, Iowa "
"Tim and family, I only knew this beautiful lady as Arlene. She was such a lovely person, mild mannered and very caring. She and her late husband were neighbors during my growing up years in Webster, Iowa. She and her husband were such a handsome couple! I did not know that she and our mother shared the same first name. Please know that we are thinking of your family in thought and prayer. Our sympathy! Duane and Betty Munson"
"I knew, Arlene, has a neighbor and friend to my mother. She was thoughtful and kind. I was so glad to see her a few years ago. She will be remembered always in my heart. Shirley Knight"