Arlene Kroman

Arlene, daughter of Herbert A. and Ella (Martin) Stearns, was born March 7, 1921 in the village of Hendley, NE. She grew up there, attended school and graduated with the Class of 1939. After graduation the family moved to Carson, IA, and Arlene worked in nearby Avoca at a dentist's office and Trout's Five and Dime Store. On March 7, 1943, Arlene was united in marriage with Peter M. Kroman at Omaha, NE. Peter and Arlene farmed and raised livestock on their farm just a mile away from Peter's birthplace in Jackson Township, Shelby County, IA. Three children were born to this union and Arlene was a devoted homemaker and mother. She also raised chickens, cleaned the milk separator and raised a large garden. She canned vegetables and meat and was always baking for family and friends. In addition, she cared for the home of her mother-in-law for many years. Peter and Arlene retired in 1974, but continued to live on the farm until 1998 when they moved to Elk Horn. Arlene was a member of Elk Horn Lutheran Church. She was interested in church and community projects and always quietly did more than her share of volunteer work. Arlene and Peter enjoyed playing cards with a number of different clubs. In her spare time, Arlene enjoyed playing cards, attending the Friendly Neighbors Club and in later years, participating in the outings of the Red Hat Society. She quilted as a hobby, making quilts for each child and grandchild as well as baby quilts for each great-grandchild. After the death of her husband in 2005, Arlene continued to live in their home and led a very active life, especially driving her red PT Cruiser and going shopping. Arlene died suddenly and unexpectedly at Myrtue Memorial Hospital in Harlan on Sunday, June 27, 2010, at the age of 89 years, 3 moths and 20 days. Besides her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by two sisters Daisy and husband Laddie Tylkowski and Dora and husband Clarence Loennig; three brothers Harold Stearns and wife Dorothy, Earl Stearns and Herb Stearns and wife Joyce; and four brothers-in-law Pete Tripe, Howard Kroman, Albert Kroman and Donald Kroman. Arlene is survived by three children: Judith and husband Darrell Peters of Minden; Richard Kroman and wife Sherrie of Littleton, CO; and Barbara and husband Mark Smith of Elk Horn; nine grandchildren: Corene and husband Gene Kelly, Brian Peters and wife Amy, Cheryl and husband Jon Simmons, Jason Kroman, Scott Kroman, Heidi and husband Matt Sherry, Brian Smith, Eric Smith, and Laura Smith; six great-grandchildren: Michael, Nathan, and Abby Kelly; Cole and Mika Simmons and Mason Sherry; brothers-in-law Robert Kroman of Elk Horn; sister Clela Tripe of Rifle, CO; sisters-in-law Lou and husband Bob Campbell of Denver, CO and Norma Jean Kroman of Phoenix, AZ; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Officiating PASTOR KEITH MENTOR Music "BEYOND THE SUNSET" "MY FATHER HAS LIGHT IN HIS WINDOW" KRISTIN HANSEN, VOCALIST "HOW GREAT THOU ART" PASTOR MENTOR JANELL HANSEN, ORGANIST Casketbearers BRIAN PETERS JASON KROMAN SCOTT KROMAN BRIAN SMITH ERIC SMITH JON SIMMONS GENE KELLY MATT SHERRY Honorary Casketbearers CORENE KELLY CHERYL SIMMONS HEIDI SHERRY LAURA SMITH AMY PETERS