Arlene E. Whitehill Guerdet 1928-2010

GUERDET, WHITEHILL, MORRILL, HAYES, ABEL

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 11/24/2011 at 15:32:23

Arlene E. Guerdet died at the age of 81, on Thursday, June 24, 2010, at Holy Spirit Retirement Home in Sioux City, Iowa, after suffering many years from Alzheimer's disease.

Arlene was born on August 16, 1928, in Dolliver, Iowa, to Percy and Myrtie (Morrill) Whitehill. She grew up on a farm north of Estherville with her 2 sisters, graduated from Emmet Consolidated school and attended Iowa Lakes Community College.

Arlene married Owen Guerdet on October 9, 1954, at St. Patrick Catholic Church. They lived and worked in Estherville where they raised 2 sons, Randy and Greg. In addition to being a wife and mother, she was employed as a bookkeeper at Woodley's Hatchery, L.M. Christensen's Clothiers, and Anthony's Clothing store before her retirement. She will be remembered as a person who was soft-spoken and had a gentle spirit; selflessly dedicated herself to her family; was from a generation that understood hard work as a way of life; was an excellent cook who served many festive meals at family gatherings; celebrated the holidays by generously sharing her baked Christmas candy, cookies and other goodies; was an immaculate housekeeper, enjoyed cross-stitching in her free-time, nurtured a colorful flower garden for many years, and enjoyed caring for the family cats.

Arlene is survived by her 2 sons, Randy Guerdet, Sioux City and Greg Guerdet and his wife, Gretta, Alexandria, Louisiana; one sister, Mae Goede and her husband, Bill, of Cold Spring, Minnesota; 3 grandchildren: Bridgette Hayes and her husband, Eric of Chicago, Illinois; Nathan Guerdet and his wife, Keri of Ankeny, Iowa; and Rachel Guerdet of Concord, New Hampshire.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Owen in 2004; her parents, Percy and Myrtie Whitehill; and a sister, Alice Abel. (MC)