Arlene Slack, 82

Arlene Slack passed away Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at the age of 82. Arlene was born March 3, 1941, to Frank and Leona (Bessman) Stielow at the farm home in Buckeye, Iowa. Her parents later divorced, and she moved to Eldora with her mother and brother. She attended kindergarten at the Buckeye School. She attended the balance of her school years in Eldora, graduating with the class of 1959. She met and married her husband, Joe, while working at Farm Bureau Insurance in Des Moines. Arlene, Joe, and Ron moved back to Eldora to be closer to her mother. She worked at Whink Products Company for 37 ½ years, retiring in 2007. She held several positions at Whink, starting on the production floor, order entry for Whink and Dodger, sales/EDI coordinator, and secretary to the president. 

Arlene enjoyed bowling for a number of years. She also loved collecting owls and frogs and spending time with family, friends, and neighbors. She always hoped to be the first one to send a birthday, anniversary, or holiday card to family and friends. She loved gardening and flowers and was very particular about her yard. She was a member of First Congregational UCC. 

Left to cherish her memory is son Jay (Jill) Wical & family; niece Kim (Paul) Moore & family; as well as many cousins and great friends. Arlene was preceded in death by her parents, husband Joe, son Ron, brother Percy, sister-in-law Jo Ann, nephews Doug and Mike Stielow, and niece Angela Stielow.  

A visitation was held Saturday, December 16, 2023, at Abels Funeral & Cremation Service - Creps Chapel in Eldora. A funeral service was held following the visitation with a burial immediately following at East Lawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family to be given to First Congregational UCC, the Sons of the American Legion for the Avenue of flags at East Lawn Memorial Gardens, or the Eldora Ambulance in Arlene’s memory.