Arlene Hessman

Arlene Verlee Hessman, the daughter of Ralph and Letha (Dodson) Jackson, was born October 28, 1936 in Millersburg, IL. Her childhood years were spent in Joy, Illinois, where she received her education in Joy Public Schools. The many highlights of her high school years being elected homecoming queen and being given the DAR award. Arlene later attended Western Illinois University and received her Master's degree from Drake University. Arlene married David Hessman on July 27, 1958 at the Joy Methodist Church in Joy, IL. Following their marriage, they lived in Ames, Iowa, where she taught school for a year in Story City, while her husband finished his education. They moved to Muscatine, Iowa, where her husband began his career and Arlene taught part time. In 1963, they moved to Ida Grove, Iowa, where she taught school for 16 years. They moved to Spencer, Iowa in 1979, where she taught school for South Clay Schools for 13 years, until her retirement. During the early years of her retirement, she filled part time teaching at Hartley, Iowa and later taught music for 2 years at Sacred Heart in Spencer. Arlene was an active member of the Ida Grove Methodist Church and Grace United Methodist Church in Spencer, where she was a choir director for 28 years and served as an organist. Arlene was also a member of PEO for over 40 years, gave piano lessons to hundred's of students over the years, did craftwork and enjoyed reading. She was also a member of the Lion's Club for 12 years, serving as secretary for 6 of those years. Arlene especially enjoyed her Iowa State Cyclones and loved attending all Cyclone activities, especially those at Hilton Coliseum. Arlene also spent a lot of time and effort traveling across the two states of Iowa and Nebraska attending several meetings as the 'First Lady of Kiwanis' during the years of 2006 and 2007. She received two awards of recognition: the Bartlett Fellow and the International Hixon awards presented by Jane Erickson at the Kiwanis District Convention. She passed away at Longhouse Residence in Spencer on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at the age of 74, with her husband and friend, Dawn Feucht at her side. Her parents and one brother, Delmar Jackson, preceded her in death. Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Dave of Spencer; two sons: David Scott Hessman of Adel, IA and Jay Hessman and his wife, Debra; three granddaughters: Jade, Shanti and Sara Addengast; one brother, Robert Jackson and his wife, Donna of Sherrard, IL; a sister-in-law, Lois Jackson of Aledo, IL; a brother-in-law, Doug Hessman and his wife, Diane of Illinois City, IL; a special cousin, Virginia Smith of Clark, MO; several nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.

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