Arlene Marie Stalzer

Arlene Stalzer, age 96, longtime resident of Haverhill, Iowa and most recently The Willows of Marshalltown, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 31, 2025.

Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, June 9 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Francis of Assisi Parish: Immaculate Conception Oratory in Haverhill. She will be laid to rest at Immaculate Conception Cemetery. Friends and family are also invited to attend a Rosary at 4:30 P.M., followed by a visitation on Sunday, June 8 from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. at Mitchell Family Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Francis of Assisi Parish or to a hospice agency of your choice. For questions or online condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Ph. 641-844-1234.

Arlene Marie Knoll was born on July 7, 1928, at home in Haverhill. She was the oldest of three children born to Leonard and Leona (Pille) Knoll and grew up knowing the hard work and dedication of life on the farm. She received her early education at St. Joseph Catholic School in Haverhill. She sang in the church choir and participated in the Marshall County Spelling Bee. She then attended Van Cleve High School, graduating in 1946. Arlene enjoyed participating in many school plays, sang in a sextet choir, was editor of the school newspaper for two years, and was senior class president. Besides softball, Arlene played 6-on-6 basketball as a guard. Their team won the County Tournament in 1945.

On June 7, 1948, Arlene was united in marriage to Lester Stalzer at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Haverhill. She fully embraced Lester’s large family and felt very blessed to have even more family by her side. They celebrated nearly 70 years of marriage before Lester’s passing in March of 2018.

After living and working in Marshalltown, the couple returned to their roots and moved to Arlene’s grandparents’ farm south of Haverhill in 1952. Lester started farming and Arlene quickly settled into the bustling life of a farm wife, working alongside her husband with daily chores and fieldwork. She was a talented homemaker and kept the household running smoothly. Arlene was a wonderful mother to her six children, 4 sons and 2 daughters. In 1964, the couple purchased the Knoll homestead where Arlene was raised, half of a mile south of Haverhill. In 2002, Arlene and Lester were very proud to have their farm awarded and recognized as a Century Farm.

Arlene built her life on the foundation to love God and to love others. She was a faithful member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Haverhill and later St. Henry Catholic Church in Marshalltown, now known as St. Francis of Assisi Parish. Throughout the years she was very involved with her parishes, including the Ave Maria and St. Gerard’s study clubs, several church societies including St. Monica’s, Catholic Order of Foresters, and St. Henry’s CCW. Arlene helped with the agricultural census and served as president of the Marshall County Blue Cross scholarship program. In later years she was a MMSC hospital volunteer. She was a longtime member of the American Legion Auxiliary since 1960 and enjoyed the years she bowled on a Knights of Columbus mixed league.

Arlene loved parties and dancing. Some would say she was the life of the party. Dancing at Forest Park Ballroom in her younger days and later she enjoyed any gathering with friends and family at the Knights of Columbus Hall, American Legion and Haverhill Social Club. She also enjoyed playing cards, especially Pepper. Arlene not only loved people but it truly filled her cup being around others. She enjoyed her 29 years serving at the Thunderbird restaurant and later known as Fields, where she worked until she was 82 years old. She especially enjoyed serving at the various parties and rehearsal dinners. Arlene was also an Avon representative for 41 years, giving Arlene another opportunity to socialize.

Arlene and Lester enjoyed traveling to many places although Lester refused to travel anywhere over the ocean “until they built a bridge!” She was an avid keeper of memories, including her daily journals and scrapbooking numerous newspaper clippings and things of interest over the years. These items are often looked back on by the family to reminisce.

Arlene was a fun and young at heart Grandma, always up for a trip to Adventureland or the Iowa State Fair and loved playing card games with them. Family was of the utmost importance to her and she cherished family traditions.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children: Kevin (Patti) Stalzer, Daryl (Kendra) Stalzer, Debra (Steve) Ruddick, Deanna (Chris) Hanish, and Craig (Katherine Hedrick) Stalzer; ten grandchildren: Jennifer Saunders, Angela Patterson, Drs. Brandon (Michelle) Stalzer, Cameron Stalzer, Jenna (Josh) Youngblut, Chad Hanish, Natalie (Ben) Ellingson, Connor (Lauren) Ruddick, Lauren Stalzer and Nicholas Stalzer; 12 great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter; her brother-in-law Frank Navara; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In eternal life, Arlene rejoined her husband, Lester; her son, Philip; her parents and two brothers: Earl (Shirley) Knoll and Clyde (Helen) Knoll; as well as Lester’s nine siblings and their spouses.

Arlene and her family would like to extend their deep appreciation for the care and support received from Glenwood Place, Grandview Rehab and The Willows over the past four and a half years. They also extend their gratitude to the many friends and family who visited and especially to great-niece Kathy Minkel for her unwavering weekly visits.