Arlene Steele passed on to her heavenly home on June 1, 2023 at 2:40 AM at Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice in Burlington, Iowa. She was born on April 25, 1924, on Dutch Row south of Biggsville, Illinois, to Everett and Beulah (Dowell) Pendarvis. She was 99 years old.
In her early years, Arlene attended Dutch Row and Record grade schools before graduating from Biggsville High School in 1942. One of her favorite childhood memories was her dad picking her up from school in a horse-drawn sleigh during a snow storm. As a senior in high school, she began working for Hershel Moffitt’s insurance. During her working years, all spent on Main Street in Biggsville, she worked for the same insurance agency under the ownerships of Curtis and Gayle Yarrington, Bob and Donna Price, and Don and Cheryl Jacobs. She retired from Stanton Insurance Agency in 1989. However, during all these years, her heart was always at home.
Arlene loved music and was an accomplished singer. She, her husband Lance, and her sister-in-law Esther formed a trio called the Western Buckaroos and performed at area events. She once appeared on the WLS National Barn Dance Show in Chicago, Illinois. She also played the piano, guitar and accordion. She especially loved gospel music, enjoying Ernie Haase and Signature Sound, the Gaither group, and the Booth Brothers. In her later years, she spent her evenings listening to gospel music on her cellphone.
She married Lance Steele on February 5, 1946. He preceded her in death on April 3, 2013. Her five children survive: Rick (Karen) Steele of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Becky Jorgensen of Conway, Arkansas; Randy (Linno) Steele of Albuquerque, New Mexico; April (Dan) Ashton of Biggsville, Illinois; Lisa (Joey) Mayo of Conway, Arkansas.
Including her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two sisters and brother-in-laws, Dorothy and Lee Cochran and Madelyn and Robert Kennicutt; grandson Raudy Steele and three great-grandchildren: Zachary Steele, Baby Harden and Baby Mayo. Along with her five children, she is survived by 7 grandchildren: Joanna (Jesse) Harden, Luke (Janna) Steele, Jennifer (Sam) High, Josh (Lainie) Jorgensen, Cody (Erika) Steele, Bethany Steele, Michael (Lacie) Mayo, and Carter (Amanda) Mayo, and 19 great-grandchildren, in addition to several nephews and nieces whom she loved.
The family will receive friends at 9:00 AM on Wednesday, June 7th at the Biggsville Presbyterian Church. The funeral service will follow at 10:00 AM with Pastors Randy and Rick Steele officiating. Banks and Beals is in charge of arrangements. Burial will be at Biggsville Cemetery.
Memorials may be left to Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice. Please visit banksandbeals.com to leave a condolence.
