Obituary of Arlene Marie Engelken

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Arlene M. Engelken, 78, of Dyersville passed away Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, at MercyOne Senior Care in Dyersville, just two weeks prior to her husband, Clete.

A double visitation for Clete & Arlene will be held Thursday, October 29th, 2020, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville from 8 am to 10 am prior to funeral services.

A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, October 29^th, 2020, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica, Dyersville with burial in the church cemetery.  Rev. Dennis Quint will officiate.

Arlene was born Jan. 14, 1942, in Dubuque and was the daughter of Joseph and Marcella (Theisen) Lynch. She graduated from Holy Rosary High School in La Motte. She worked at Prepared Food Shoppe which was a bakery in Dubuque. She married Cletus J. Engelken on Nov. 28, 1963 at Nativity Catholic Church in Dubuque.  Together they farmed on the Engelken family farm and later she worked at All Star Feeds in Dyersville. She enjoyed visiting with the customers and especially loved delivering feed with Cletus.  During the last 6 years she enjoyed keeping the staff and residence at MercyOne Dyersville Senior Care laughing and smiling (they were her second family and she loved each and every one of them. She was a loving wife, mother, & grandmother. She loved trips to Branson & watching her grandkids in various sports.  She will always be remembered by her wonderful smile, her contagious laughter and her loving heart. 

Survivors include her loving husband, Cletus of 56 years, two daughters: Ann Boeckenstedt and Theresa (Jeff) Neuhaus, both of Dyersville, three grandchildren; Amber and Heather Boeckenstedt and Devin Neuhaus; 3 sisters: Barb (Dwain) Kilburg of Bellevue, IA, Lois Lynch of Dubuque and Janaan (Don) Junk of Bellevue; one brother: Robert (Charlene) Lynch of La Motte, in-laws: Irene Engelken of Earlville, George (Sherry) Engelken of Atlanta, GA, and Dale Zeimet of Lakeview, AR.

She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings: Raymond Lynch, Richard Lynch, Mary Diane Lynch and Rosemary Zeimet. In laws: Elmer & Mary Lou Engelken, Edwin & Aletha Engelken, Charlie & Alma Brehm, & Julius Engelken.

The family wants to give a special thank you to the entire staff at MercyOne Dyersville Senior Care who cared for Arlene with amazing compassion over the last 6 years. Also thank you to the staff at Hospice of Dubuque for helping provide comfort during the last days.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kramerfuneral.com.