Arlene Grace Steffes, 90 of Carroll, died unexpectedly on Thursday, June 8, 2023, at St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at Holy Spirit Church – St. John Paul II Parish in Carroll. The Celebrant will be Fr. Merlin Schrad. Homilist will be Fr. Timothy Johnson. Mass Servers will be Maxwell Reincke and Alyson Reincke. Music will be by Jane Heithoff. Lector for the Funeral Mass will be Arlene’s son, John Steffes. Gift Bearers will be Arlene’s granddaughters. Casket Bearers will be Arlene’s grandsons. The Carroll Catholic Daughters of the Americas will form an honor guard for the Funeral Mass. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Carroll.
Visitation will be on Monday at Holy Spirit Church from 4-7 p.m. Fr. Allan Reicks will lead a rosary at 7 p.m. Additional visitation will be from 9:30-10:15 a.m. on Tuesday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left at the church for the Kuemper Foundation – Roman and Arlene Steffes Fund.

Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home and online condolences may be left for Arlene’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.

Arlene was born on July 16, 1932, to Ed and Helen (Dopheide) Uhlenkamp. At the young age of 4, her parents died, and she began living with her uncle and aunt, Bill and Mary Dopheide of Willey, IA, who later became her adoptive parents. She attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in Willey, IA while helping on the family farm.

One fine day, while working on the farm Arlene caught a glimpse of her future: Roman Steffes. Following many fun nights at the Arcadia dance hall, Roman and Arlene were married on June 3, 1952, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Willey, IA. Arlene and Roman often like to reminisce on their romantic wedding day which included a flat tire on the way to the ceremony. Despite this kind of luck, their life together was nothing but abundant love for 71 years that resulted in 10 children, 21 grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren.

Arlene was a wonderful wife, homemaker, and grandma. She was a member of St. John Paul II Parish women’s guild and Catholic Daughters of America. A cancer survivor, you could often find her on morning walks, watching her many bird feeders, lighting candles, and attending holy hour in the chapel, or taking every opportunity to attend her grandchildren’s events. She was the best at making Christmas cookies - an annual event at her house with the grandchildren. Arlene will always be remembered by her family as one that never forgot a birthday. Even as the family continued to grow, you could always count on mom/grandma/great grandma to have a card in the mail. The fridge at her house was always stocked with the grandkids’ favorites and she was known for making cinnamon rice at any time if someone requested it. Her family and grandchildren were her greatest joy.

Being the heart of the family, Arlene will be missed dearly, and life will never quite be the same. She is survived by her husband of 71 years, Roman and her ten children: Jim (Kim) of Eloy, AZ, Marilyn (Sam) Barta of Carroll, IA, Jerry (Jane) of Omaha, NE, Marty (Michelle) of Carroll, IA, Dan (Sandie) Bellevue, NE, Gary (Kathy) of Carroll, IA, JoAnn Wanek of Omaha, NE, John (Kathy) of Carroll, IA, Dave (Wendy) of Des Moines, IA, and Tom of Johnston, IA; 20 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; her brother Harry (Mary Kay) Uhlenkamp and sister Joan (Don) Wiederhold; in laws Sister Marcella Steffes FSPA, Lorraine Vogl, Norma Gosch, Robert (Rache) Steffes, Arlene (Melvin) Meier, Marian Pickhinke, and Carol (Don) Mader, and many nieces, nephews, and extended family

Arlene is preceded in death by her parents and adoptive parents: Ed and Helen Uhlenkamp and Bill and Mary Dopheide, granddaughter McKaila Steffes, great granddaughter Bridget Barta, sisters Edna (LaVern) Trecker, Anita (Marvin) Weber, Ruth Duren; father and mother-in-law John and Anna (Halbur) Steffes; in-laws Luverne (Barb) Steffes, Doris (Frank) Mader, Fred Gosch and Joe Vogl.