Altena, Arlene (Mrs. Aubrey Ronald) 1933-2023

ALTENA, KERSBERGEN, VREUGDENHIL

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/15/2023 at 13:16:19

Arlene Mae Altena, 90, of Mission Hill, South Dakota, passed away on June 25, 2023. She was born on April 4, 1933, in Lebanon, Iowa, to Cornelius and Elizabeth (Kersbergen) Vreugdenhil.

A committal service was held on June 26, at the Zion Reformed Church cemetery, located two miles north and three-quarters of a mile east of Menno, South Dakota. A memorial service was held on July 5, 2023, at Zion Reformed Church in Menno, SD, with Reverend Travis Grassmid officiating.

Arlene attended grade-school at Lebanon country school before transferring to Sioux Center Christian School. After graduating from Western Christian High School in Hull, Iowa, Arlene worked as a switchboard operator at Mutual Telephone Company in Sioux Center. She pursued her desire to become a teacher and obtained her teaching degree from Westmar College in LeMars, Iowa, in one year. Arlene taught in a country school until her marriage to Aubrey Ronald Altena on June 19, 1953. The couple farmed southwest of Sioux Center until 1960 when they moved to a farm east of Sioux Center.

Arlene was in fellowship at several churches throughout her life, including Lebanon Christian Reformed Church (CRC), Bethel CRC, Faith CRC, Menno CRC, and Zion Reformed Church of Menno, SD.

In her free time, Arlene enjoyed attending a women's Bible study group at Bethel CRC, journaling, baking, and regularly phoning friends and relatives. Her warm and caring nature extended beyond her immediate family, blessing the lives of many around her.

"Purple Cows" are a favorite memory of Arlene's grandchildren-a cold treat of grape soda and vanilla ice-cream served in "Alvin, the Chipmunk" drinking glasses.

At age 32, Arlene was diagnosed with breast cancer and received daily radiation treatments over a period of weeks. During radiation, she mentally recited countless Bible verses she had committed to memory. One of her favorite passages was from Psalm 121: "I lift up my eyes to the hills, from where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD which made heaven and earth...He neither slumbers nor sleeps."

Dearly appreciated are the memories of family devotions-reading a portion of the Bible after every meal and bed-time prayers.

Arlene is survived by her sons, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren: Jan (Glenda) Altena of Orange City, IA, and their four children: Daniel (Rachelle) Altena of Visalia, CA, and their children Kailee, Anika, Dylan, Samantha, and Jonathan; Theodore (Jackie) Altena of Sioux Center, IA, and their children Caleb, Reagan, and Kenzie; Anne-Michelle (Marc) Pedersen of Urbandale, IA, and their daughter Janae; and Hannah Altena of Orange City. She is survived by her son, Terry Altena of Mission Hill, SD, and his three children: Timothy (Sarah) Altena of Garretson, SD; Anthony (Amber) Altena of Orange City, IA, and their two children: Joanna and Samuel; Lisa Altena and their mother, Deborah, both of LeMars, IA, and Lisa's four children: Lakota, Adrian, Gemini, and Aurora. Arlene is survived by four sisters-in-law: Ladene Altena of Rogers, AR, Chalice Altena, Esther Altena (both of Orange City, IA), and Sharon Vreugdenhil of Sioux Center, IA.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 39 years, Aubrey Ronald Altena, her daughter Gail Lorraine Coulter, and her parents. Arlene was preceded in death by four sisters and one brother: An unidentified infant sister; Verna (Ralph) Baker; Marie (Howard) Kiel; Joanne Vreugdenhil; and John Vreugdenhil; five brothers-in-law: Sentner Altena, Elroy Altena, Leroy Altena, Ralph Baker, & Howard Kiel.

Published by Legacy Remembers from Jul. 6 to Jul. 8, 2023.