KOBER, Arletta marie (Refshauge) 1919-2018

KOBER, REFSHAUGE, OLSEN, WIGHTMAN, HENRY

Posted By: K. L. Kittleson
Date: 3/12/2018 at 12:36:02

Services:
Family Appreciation Service 10 a.m. on Saturday at Westminster Presbyterian Church

Visitation:
Friday, February 2, 2018 at Locke Funeral Home

Cemetery:
West View Cemetery, La Porte City Iowa

Memorials:
May be directed to Westminster Presbyterian Church

Biography--

Arletta Marie Refshauge Kober, 98, Waterloo educator and civic leader, passed away on Wednesday, January 24, 2018 in Waterloo. She was born on October 31, 1919 in Cedar Falls and grew up with her family (father, Edward, mother, Mary, sisters Marcella and Elva) on the family farm, Grandview. Her father, Edward Refshauge, was a Black Hawk County Supervisor for over 40 years. She was very proud of her 100% Danish heritage.

She met her future husband, Kay Kober, her freshman year on the dance floor at college (then called Iowa State Teachers College). They dated for about 6 years and were married on February 14, 1944. They enjoyed life together as a couple for 80 years.

Arletta attended schools on the current University of Northern Iowa campus from kindergarten through her master’s degree. She graduated from the campus high school and earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree and Master of Arts Degree from the University. Arletta was an educator in the Waterloo Public Schools for over thirty years, primarily as the Office Education Coordinator for the Waterloo Public Schools at East and West High Schools. She also taught school in Soldier and Montezuma, Iowa. She was the first teacher at East High School to continue teaching after marriage, for which she had to obtain special approval from the school administration.

It was her philosophy that one must give back to the community, and Arletta was very active in civic organizations in Waterloo including the YWCA, Christmas Seals Society, Waterloo Visiting Nurse Association, Waterloo Women’s Club, National Congress of Parents and Teachers, Broadway Theatre League, American Red Cross, and Black Hawk County Historical Society. She was a member of PEO, Delta Kappa Gamma and Delta Pi Epsilon. She was co-chairman of the Citizen’s Committee for the School Bond Issue. She served in several capacities at Westminster Presbyterian Church. She was also very proud of being included in Who’s Who of American Women based on her career and community activities.

Arletta was a very devoted teacher who felt that she should be a mentor as well as teacher for her students. She worked hard to provide them with the business and social skills to make them successful. Arletta was very goal oriented for herself, her students, and her children and both encouraged and expected the highest level of achievement. Both she and Kay wanted their children and grandchildren to achieve their highest goals in life.

Arletta was very well known for driving around Waterloo in a pink ’67 Mustang. It was the colors of West High at the time (old rose and black) and is still in the family.

Arletta’s themes in life were family, education, and community involvement. The family is very grateful to have her legacy as a wonderful, loving mother and grandmother.

Survived by: two daughters, Kay Mary (David) Harrell and Karilyn Kober; three granddaughters, Lindsay Kay Harrell, Meredith Marie Harrell, and Jensen Kober Henry; and nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Preceded in death by: her husband, Kay L. Kober; her parents; two sisters, Marcella Elizabeth (Leo) Olsen and Elva Lillian (Robert) Wightman; two brothers, Ansgar and Hubert Refshauge; and son-in-law, J. William Henry.

SOURCE: Locke Funeral Home website