Arlene M. Riepe, 95, of Griswold, IA died Thursday evening, January 5, 2012 at the Griswold Care Center in Griswold where she had resided since May.

Arlene Mildred Sothman was born on the family farm east of Lyman, IA, on November 12, 1916, the daughter of Henry Mark and Minnie (Frank) Sothman. She attended rural schools and graduated from Atlantic High School. On October 16, 1937 she married Merle Lavere Riepe in Omaha. They farmed west of
Griswold, moved to town in 1974 and retired from farming in 1976. Arlene was a member of the Central Church of Christ in Griswold, active in the ladies circle and Bible study group. She also was a member of the Friendly Neighbors Club, former member of the Civic Club and a former 4-H leader.

Arlene was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 50 years – Merle on January 12, 1988, her daughter-in-law Janet Riepe, her son-in-law Jim Anderson; three sisters, Luella Costello, Marcella (Ridlen) Costello and Berdele Petersen and two brothers, Orlin Sothman and Kermit Sothman.

Survivors include her children Shirley (Larry) Whiley of Griswold, Doris (Howard) Rush of Griswold, Mervin (Jody) Riepe of Omaha, NE and Beverly Anderson of Lawton, OK. Arlene's grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandson are: Terry (Kim) Whiley and their children Kelsey (Brian) Riley and Mitch Wiley; Elaine (special friend-Jake Pelzer) Carlton and her children Brooke (Levi) Curtis, Marcus (fiancé-Alisha Gau) Josephson, and Erin (fiancé-Kyle Johnson) Josephson; Sherry (Bob) Smiley and their children Rob, Ben, and Stephanie Smiley; Kelly (Mary) Rush and their daughters Lauren and Kathryn; Kenneth (Sheri) Rush and their children and grandson Macala (Chris) Taulborg and son Brom, Melanie Rush and, Keith Rush; Kevin (Gena) Rush and their daughters Payton, Karsyn and Ava, and Karla (Michael) Schumacher and their sons Jacob and Justin; Merle (Leah) Riepe and their children Brynn and Drew; Jeff (Jessica) Reed and their daughters Isabella and Victoria; Julie (Darren) Francis and children Alec Ernce and Megan Francis; and Ellen Anderson. Also surviving are her sisters Aletha Sanny of Anderson, MO, Alberta (John) Becker of Cumberland, IA, and Janet (Don) Thompson of Wichita, KS, as well as her sisters-in-law Norma Jean Sothman of Atlantic and Wilma Andrew of Griswold.

Funeral services will be held at the Central Church of Christ in Griswold on Friday, January 13, 2012 at 10:30 AM, Aaron Albus and Don Gordon officiating. Burial will be in the Flint Cemetery. Open visitation will be at the Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold beginning Wednesday at noon. Open visitation will be at the Central Church of Christ beginning at 1:00 on Thursday and the family will be present at the church from 6:00 to 7:30 PM.