Arlene Mae Vander Leest was born on August 21, 1934 to Jacob and Matje (Van Arkel) Laverman in Sully, Iowa.

Arlene passed away on January 4, 2026, at Park Center in Newton, Iowa, at the age of 91.

On June 25, 1953 she was united in marriage to Arland Vander Leest in Sully. To this union three sons were born: Randy, Brent and Kirk.

Arlene first lived East of Sully just “down the hill” from Arland’s grandparents. This is where they first met at the age of four. Arlene would later move to the Reasnor area attending a one room country school. She graduated in 1952 from Sully High School, in a class of twenty-two students. In her early years, she worked at Sully Transport as a secretary. Later in life she and Arland made many trips to Europe and she especially enjoyed her time the Netherlands.

She spent her free time reading, playing the piano and organ. One of her greatest joys was spending time with her kids, grandkids, great grandkids and attending their activities and sporting events.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband of 72 years, Arland of Sully and their three sons: Randy (Joyce) Vander Leest of Woodward, Brent (Sheila) Vander Leest of Sully, Kirk (Maggie) Vander Leest of Downers Grove, Illinois, nine grandchildren: Neal (Rochelle) Vander Leest, Amy Navrkal, Adam (Lori) Vander Leest, Jamie (JJ) Linderman, Tyler Vander Leest, Greta Vander Leest, Olivia Vander Leest, Jacob Vander Leest and Owen Vander Leest and 12 great grandchildren as well as several nieces and nephews.

She is also survived by her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Merlyn (Dorothy) Vander Leest, Duane Vander Leest, Sandra (Daniel) Vande Krol and Warren (Mary) Vander Leest.

Family:

Randy and Joyce Vander Leest

     Neal and Rochelle Vander Leest

          Holland and Dawson Parker

     Amy Navrkal

          Jude, John and Jensen

     Adam and Lori Vander Leest

          Colt, Reed and Lane

Brent and Sheila Vander Leest

     Jamie and JJ Linderman

          Blake and Brody Wyngarden

          Jreyton and Jalyn Linderman

     Tyler Vander Leest

Kirk and Maggie Vander Leest

     Greta, Olivia, Jacob and Owen

Arlene was preceded in death by her parents Jacob and Matje Laverman, parents-in-law Walter and Irene Vander Leest; brother Clarence Laverman, sister Catherine De Penning and the following brother-in-law and sisters-in-law: Pauline Laverman, Wilbur De Penning and Karen Vander Leest.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to: East Iowa Bible Camp, Sully Community Church Missions or Lynnville-Sully Community Education Foundation.