Arlene French

Arlene Ruth, daughter of Julius and Elsie (David) Polzin, was born December 9, 1920, near Manning in Carroll County, Iowa. Arlene's family lived in several places near Manning when she was a child. She attended school near her home and following her schooling, Arlene worked in the homes of her family and neighbors.

On February 8, 1940, Arlene was united in marriage with Howard O. French at the home of Arlene's parents in Audubon County. Four children were born to this union. Arlene and Howard made their home on a farm in Polk Township in Shelby County before settling on a farm in Jefferson Township in the late 1980s they retired from farming but stayed living on the home place. In November of 1993, Arlene suffered a stroke and became a resident of the Manning Plaza Nursing Home in Manning.

Arlene was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Manning. However, she and Howard belonged to Trinity Lutheran Church south of Manning for many years, just recently transferring their membership to Zion. Throughout the years she enjoyed quilting, sewing, vegetable and flower gardening, cooking, baking and spending time with her grandkids and great-grandkids. For several years, Arlene and Howard enjoyed fishing in Minnesota at Leach Lake.

On Thursday, May 1, 2003, Arlene died at the Manning Plaza Nursing Home in Manning, Iowa, at the age of 82 years, 4 months and 22 days.

Besides her parents, Arlene was preceded in death by a stillborn baby girl and a brother Earl Polzin.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years Howard French of Manilla; children: Karie Marie Graham of Omaha; NE; Ruth Ann Muckey and husband Michael of Omaha, NE; Carl French and wife Carol of Manilla; grandchildren: Todd Graham and wife Kim of Portland, OR; Tim Graham of Omaha, NE; Renee and husband Ron Howard of Bellevue, NE; Jennifer and husband Dan Behrens of Manning; David Muckey and wife Christy of McKinney, TX; Eric French and wife Jennifer of Des Moines and Kyle French of Manilla; great-grandchildren: Ronnie Howard, Doris Ann Howard, Tyler Graham, Andrew French, Samantha French and Grant Behrens; sister Gladys and husband George Musfeldt of Irwin; sister-in-law Florence Larsen of Manilla; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.