Sealine, Arlene Marjorie Enderson (1921-2020)

SEALINE, ENDERSON, THORSBAKKEN, FORD, LARSON, JOHNSON

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 5/23/2021 at 19:34:21

Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, Iowa
April 9, 2020

Arlene Sealine, 99, of Webster City died Friday, April 3, 2020 at Crestview Senior Living. Phrases such as a “life well lived” or “loving wife, mother, grandmother” seem insufficient to describe this blessed Christian mother. Her sense of style was reflected through her appearance, decorating, flower arranging, doll collecting and quilt making. Arlene learned to live in gratitude for a helping hand just as she had been that helping hand to others in the family and community throughout her life. Quick to smile and tell everyone how great it was to see them, she lived a life of quietly bringing food, joy, reverence, her faith and love to everyone around her. The family, particularly the grandchildren, loved her Norwegian Kringla she baked while her preference was lemon meringue pie.

Arlene Marjorie Enderson, daughter of Thomas and K. Marie (Thorsbakken), was born January 14, 1921 in Stanhope. She attended rural schools and graduated from Stanhope Consolidated school in 1940. On September 21, 1940 Arlene was united in marriage to Melferd L. Sealine at the Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Stanhope where they worshiped and were active throughout their lifetime. Mel and Arlene were blessed with five children, Ronald, Diane, Anita, Joyce and Paul. As the years passed, they welcomed with open hearts their other children by marriage, Shirley, John, Doug, Mary, and Ilya. Family was the reason for living to Arlene. The couple lived on a family Century farm near Stratford from 1940 – 1993, then moving to Webster City as with great pride they turned the farm over to their son, Paul and wife Mary. Arlene worked as a farm wife, a part time job in a flower shop, volunteered countless hours at the school, church, Webster City Women’s Club, Hamilton Hospital Auxiliary, J.M. Club in Stanhope and enjoyed the occasional game of 500.

She is survived by her children, Ronald and Shirley Sealine of Johnston, Iowa, Diane and John Ford of St. Joseph, Missouri, Joyce Sealine and fiancÈ Ilya Slutsker of Plymouth, MN and Paul and Mary Sealine of Stratford, 6 grandchildren who serve as honorary pallbearers (Cheryl, Cindy, Steven, Kristine, Carrie, Eric); 15 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great grandson with a second expected shortly – making it a 5-generation life; sister, Shirley and Dean Larson of Story City and many nieces and nephews.

Arlene is preceded in death by her husband, Melferd in 1996; her daughter and son-in-law, Anita and Doug Johnson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; her parents; brothers, Kenneth, Tilford, and Charles.

Following the state and federal guidance on gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the family will be having a private graveside service. It is the family’s wish that any cards and memorials be directed to Foster Funeral and Cremation Center who is entrusted with the coordination of information. Arlene named Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Stanhope, Iowa, MS society and American Heart Association as charities she supported during her lifetime.

The family would like to especially thank Life and Health Services of Webster City, Iowa for the care provided allowing Arlene to remain living independently in her Crestview apartment. We would also like to thank the entire staff of Crestview for the care they provided during Arlene’s final years.

Facebook will be used to announce a date and time for future memorial service once gatherings are considered advisable