Arlene Fredericke Koithan 1926 - 2000

KOITHAN, ZIEMS

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/11/2014 at 21:26:52

29 June 2000

FORMER UCLA HISTOLOGIST DIES JUNE 19

Arlene F. Koithan, age 73, of Mapleton, Iowa, died Monday, June 19, 2000 at Maple Heights Nursing Home in Mapleton.

Services were held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 22 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Mapleton with Pastor Scott Fiege officiating. Burial was in Mt. Hoppe Cemetery, Mapleton. Karen Krusen was the organist for the service and the congregation sang, "Nearer My God To Thee", "Amazing Grace" and "How Great Thou Art". A prayer service was held at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Armstrong Funeral Home in Mapleton.

Arlene Fredericke Koithan was born December 23, 1926 in Mapleton, Iowa, the daughter of George and Elsie (Ziems) Koithan. She was baptized on February 13, 1927, and confirmed May 12, 1940, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Mapleton. After graduating from Iowa State College, Arlene taught high school students in Iowa and Washington State for three years. She then returned to school to pursue a career in laboratory technology. Upon completion, she moved to California and was employed in a UCLA laboratory as a research histologist until retirement.

In 1987 she retired, returned to Mapleton and renewed her interest in teaching. For four summers, she joined a Christian organization to provide English instruction for student teachers in China. She later shared these travels and experiences with several area churches and community groups.

Arlene also took a loving interest in the youth of St. Matthew Lutheran Church. She taught Weekday School and served as Youth Minister. This calling was one of her greatest pleasures.

She was an active member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church and was a member of several organizations in the church.

Her nieces and nephews will always remember Aunt Arlene for the new and unique interests, ideas and gifts she brought to their lives. Arlene thought of them as her children too and was always truly interested in their welfare.

Those survivors left to cherish Arlene's memory include two sisters, Constance and her husband, Robert Rossow of Mapleton, Iowa and Caroleen Parker of St. Paul, Minnesota; two brothers and their wives, George Jr. and Evelyn Koithan of Mapleton, Iowa and Herman and Mary Koithan of St. Paul, Minnesota; 19 nieces and nephews; 53 great nieces and nephews and many treasured friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Gerhard.

Honorary pallbearers were Denise Creveling, Diana Rice, Carma Brouillette, Kathy Hamers, Jane Lundquist and Jeannette Luhrs.

Pallbearers were Jeffrey Parker, David Parker, Kirk Koithan, Daniel Koithan, Thomas K. Koithan and Thomas H. Koithan.