Nellie Irene Arnold , 77, of Burlington, died at 4:32 PM Monday, December 18, 2017, at the Great River Klein Center in West Burlington.
Born August 10, 1940, in Nashua, IA, she was the daughter of John Edwin and Nellie May Wilson McCarty. In 1961, she married Raymond "Jack" Arnold in Kahoka, MO. They later divorced.
She worked as a bar tender, at many local establishments, and in production for many years.
She was a member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. She enjoyed baking for her family members and neighbors. She loved to send greeting cards and always kept in touch with everyone. She was an amazing artist, and was particularly skilled at drawing. She loved to sing. She also liked to feed the neighborhood stray pets.
Survivors include one daughter, Michelle (Skeeter) Arnold of Burlington; two sisters, Loretta Rieks of Hubbard, IA, and Corliss Smith of Urbandale, IA; two brothers, Curtis (Linda) Smith of Marshalltown, IA, and Gregory Smith of Eldora, IA; a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins; and her very special friend, Lisa "Mikki" Hines of Burlington; along with the staff at Great River Klein Center, whom she ...[more]
considered family.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, Mary T. Ita; and one grandson, Timothy Bolte.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh~Thielen Crematory.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at The Burlington Gym on a date and time to be announced.
Graveside Committal Services for Irene will be 11:00 AM Saturday, March 17, 2018 at Eldora City Cemetery, in Eldora, Iowa.
Memorials have been established for Great River Klein Center (Cascade Falls), Great River Hospice, and the Des Moines County Humane Society.
There's still time to send flowers to the Graveside Service at the Eldora City Cemetery at 11:00 AM on March 17, 2018.
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