Arlene Helen Palmer was born on November 30, 1916, on a farm in rural Belle Plaine, Iowa, the daughter of Charles and Albena (Chudlic) Krafka. Arlene graduated from Dysart High with the class of 1934. She then attended Iowa State Teacher’s College for two years. While in college, Arlene belonged to the Pi Theta Pi Sorority. After graduating college, Arlene taught for three years at Homer #3, a country school in Benton County. On August 10, 1939, Arlene was united in marriage to Dale William Palmer. The couple farmed five miles south of Dysart and raised their family. For the past three years, Arlene resided in Windsor Heights and attended the Wesley Life Adult Center daily. Arlene was a past Worthy Matron in the Order of the Eastern Star and was also the Representative to the state of Georgia. She was also a member of the Dysart United Methodist Church and was in the church circle. Arlene enjoyed various bridge clubs, gardening, baking, and spending time with her family and took every opportunity to see her grandchildren’s and great grandchildren’s activities. Arlene died at the age of 96 on Tuesday, October 15, 2013, at the Kavanaugh House in Des Moines. She is survived by her three daughter, Susan (Richard) Delfs of Dysart, Becky Ripperger of Windsor Heights and Pam (Ken) Mitchell of Waterloo; five grandchildren, Brett (Robin) Nelson, Melanie (Pat) Franke, Sara (Chris) Coleman, Marc (Sondra) Ripperger, and Kate (John Leadley) Mitchell; nine great grandchildren, Jared and Jacob Nelson, Tyler Franke, Alexa and Ashley Franke, Essix and Azelle Coleman, and Jude and Maxwell Leadley; a sister, Janet Sawyer of Hudson; and two brothers, Robert and Rich Krafka of Dysart and many nieces and nephews. Arlene was preceded in death by her parents; her husband and a sister, Vivian Krafka. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

Arlene H. Palmer, 96

Arlene Helen Palmer was born on November 30, 1916, on a farm in rural Belle Plaine, Iowa, the daughter of Charles and Albena (Chudlic) Krafka. Arlene graduated from Dysart High with the class of 1934. She then attended Iowa State Teacher’s College for two years. While in college, Arlene belonged to the Pi Theta Pi Sorority. After graduating college, Arlene taught for three years at Homer #3, a country school in Benton County. On August 10, 1939, Arlene was united in marriage to Dale William Palmer. The couple farmed five miles south of Dysart and raised their family. For the past three years, Arlene resided in Windsor Heights and attended the Wesley Life Adult Center daily. Arlene was a past Worthy Matron in the Order of the Eastern Star and was also the Representative to the state of Georgia. She was also a member of the Dysart United Methodist Church and was in the church circle. Arlene enjoyed various bridge clubs, gardening, baking, and spending time with her family and took every opportunity to see her grandchildren’s and great grandchildren’s activities. Arlene died at the age of 96 on Tuesday, October 15, 2013, at the Kavanaugh House in Des Moines. She is survived by her three daughter, Susan (Richard) Delfs of Dysart, Becky Ripperger of Windsor Heights and Pam (Ken) Mitchell of Waterloo; five grandchildren, Brett (Robin) Nelson, Melanie (Pat) Franke, Sara (Chris) Coleman, Marc (Sondra) Ripperger, and Kate (John Leadley) Mitchell; nine great grandchildren, Jared and Jacob Nelson, Tyler Franke, Alexa and Ashley Franke, Essix and Azelle Coleman, and Jude and Maxwell Leadley; a sister, Janet Sawyer of Hudson; and two brothers, Robert and Rich Krafka of Dysart and many nieces and nephews. Arlene was preceded in death by her parents; her husband and a sister, Vivian Krafka. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.