Arlene Marie Reisen of Dubuque, IA, entered her eternal rest on May 28th, 2025, and is now at peace. Her life was brought to a close while asleep in her home, surrounded by her loving family. As a woman of faith, a Service of Song and Celebration will be held to honor Arlene’s life at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2145 J.F.K. Road in Dubuque, on Saturday, July 12th, 2025, with Rev. Jesse Cearlock officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m., with a service following at 10:00 a.m.  A luncheon will be held at the church immediately following the service, followed by her burial in the East Dubuque Cemetery.  Arlene’s family is gracious for the assistance of the Tri-State Cremation Center.

Born on December 1, 1928, in Dubuque, IA, to Victor G. and Marie M. (Berg) Paar, Arlene was a sweet and gentle soul who was blessed to spend almost an entire century on this earth surrounded by the love of many family and friends. Arlene eventually met and married the love of her life, William F. Reisen, and the two were blessed with many wonderful years together and a family of their own to love and nurture. She was a loving wife and mother who approached each day as an opportunity to leave a positive imprint on those around her.

In her early years, Arlene worked in downtown Dubuque at Montgomery Ward, starting at the age of 16, and moved with the store when they relocated to Kennedy Mall, where she became a brassica. After their closing, she was hired at Armstrong’s in China and Gifts. Arlene was a gifted seamstress, baker, and craftswoman, and later used her skills of sewing, quilting, and creating to be a part of The Ice Harbor Emporium, The Kitchen Cupboard, and most recently, Mercantile on Main.

In her free time, Arlene was devoted to her faith and family. She was a charter member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, and also belonged to the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, where she volunteered to spend much of her time sewing several quilts throughout the years to be sent to third world countries through the Lutheran World Relief. She worked as a volunteer for the Dubuque Lutheran School at Our Redeemer, working in the kitchen to serve meals for the students, loving to see their happy faces.

She was also a member of the Redeemed Red Hatters through Our Redeemer and looked forward to getting together with their social group every month, as she was quite the social butterfly! Arlene also loved music and spent several years singing in the church choir. Her favorite services were always the ones that had the “best” hymns, and her favorite part of bible study was the opening when hymn requests were taken (plus the doughnuts!). She always had one up her sleeve each Sunday, just in case no other hymns were called out.

Arlene was also a proud, 85-year member of the American Legion Auxiliary, eligible through her father’s service. She loved to show her support for her husband, father, and all of her eight brothers’ service. Within her family, every branch of the military was represented, and she would always stand for the entire song whenever the Armed Forces Salute was played. In honor of her family’s service to this country, Arlene served on many roles within the auxiliary at the unit, county, and district levels. She was a member of unit #6, Dubuque, for 70 years and unit #656, Farley, for the other 15.

Arlene had been the middle child of eleven children, and if asked, she would always tell you, “since I was the middle child, I always got left behind.” “Mom and dad would take the 5 oldest, or the 5 youngest with them on outings, I got stuck at home because there wasn’t enough room.” She always loved to tell that story, and we believe she secretly loved being the one who stayed behind, as she loved all of her siblings that much.

On November 24th, 2002, Dupaco Community Credit Union and the Dubuque Telegraph Herald announced that Arlene was named the winner of the Volunteer Recognition Award. She was honored for her extensive volunteer activities with the American Legion Auxiliary, as well as with Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and as the co-chair of the Luther Manor nursing home auxiliary She also spent much of her time volunteering for St. Mark’s after-school program. Besides being recognized for this award, $100 was donated in Arlene’s name to Project Concern, Inc.

Arlene spent her life giving back. Besides her main volunteer missions, Arlene would also donate every extra bit of money she ever had, spread out amongst several organizations. She was truly altruistic and often put the needs of others before her own without ever seeking any kind of recognition. Her main concern had always been about making sure those in need had access to food. She always believed that everyone deserves to eat, no matter who they are or the circumstances they are in.

In her spare time, while not volunteering, she was an avid reader. Especially of the works of James Patterson, John Grisham, Stuart Woods, Mary Higgens Clarke, and Danelle Steele, amongst others. She was a wordsmith, and her grandson Andy learned everything he knows about words, grammar, and vocabulary from his grandmother. She also enjoyed bowling and belonged to many teams throughout her years. She would take her grandchildren out bowling to teach them the techniques, and passed on her love of watching the greats to her granddaughter, Mara, who picked up on the statistics of professional bowling thanks to her grandmother. She also spent much of her time baking for her family, with double crust pies and cut out sugar cookies being her specialties.

But Arlene’s favorite hobby was doing her puzzles, mostly ones by her favorite artist, Thomas Kincaid. A table would always be set up with the start of a new puzzle once one was finished and framed for her own or her family’s enjoyment. She always said it would be her last one, but we never believed it to be true. But now, a version of Van Gogh’s “Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers” puzzle still sits unfinished, planned as a gift for her daughter, Vickie, just waiting to be finished…

Arlene always strived to set a good example for those watching to follow. Our hearts break as Arlene now joins all of her loved ones who have been called home ahead of her. May the love and lessons she leaves behind help to comfort all who knew and loved her, as her legacy lives on in their lives moving forward. Be still, Arlene, and wear your crown proudly in heaven, now that your victory has been won. We cherish the memory of your smile, the sound of your laugh, and the twinkle in your eyes. We cope by knowing that one day, our souls will be together once again.

Those left to cherish the memory of Arlene include

her children,
Kristine Louise “Kristi” Staver, Benton, AR,
Vickie Lynne Klinkhammer, Dubuque, IA,
and Terence Steven “Terry” (Karen) Reisen, Long Beach, WA;

her adored grandchildren,
Kristine M. “Kris” (Christopher) Heyer, Benton, AK,
John W. “J” Staver, Benton, AK,
Mara A. (Kate) Klinkhammer, Mays Landing, N.J.,
and Andrew M. “Andy” (Robert C. “Bob” Bucko) Klinkhammer, Dubuque, IA;

her great-grandchildren,
Shelby M. Heyer, Benton, AR,
and Jayden M. Heyer, Benton, AR;

her brother,
Robert “Bob” (Sue) Paar, Palmdale, CA;

her brothers and sisters-in-law,
Mildred “Millie” Paar, Polo, IL,
Patricia “Pat” Paar, Dubuque, IA,
Loretta Paar, Dubuque, IA,
William “Bill” Herrig, Dubuque, IA,
Josephine “Jo” Powers, East Dubuque, IL,
and Paul Reisen, East Dubuque, IL;

her two Godchildren,
Gary L. (Rita) Herrig, Mason City, IA,
and Karla (Ron) Bell, Farley, IA;

along with numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, friends, and neighbors.

Arlene was preceded in death by her parents, Victor G. and Marie M. Paar; her husband, William Frederick “Buzz” Reisen; her two sons, Steven Wayne Reisen and David William Reisen; her siblings, Donald Paar, Arthur Paar, William Paar, Marian Hefel, Walter Paar, Joan Herrig, Frederick Paar, John Paar, Richard Paar; her brothers and sisters-in-law, LeRoy Hefel, June Paar, Gwen Paar, Maxine Paar, “Ruff” and Betty Rogers, Ralph and Jean Reisen, Robert Powers, Bobby Reisen, and Karen Reisen; her sons-in-law, Mark A. Klinkhammer and John Charles “Chuck” Staver;  and her Godchild, Ellen Jurisic.

Memorial funds have been established for Arlene M. Reisen for the following places:
• Our Redeemer Lutheran Church
• The Department of Iowa America Legion Auxiliary
• The Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging
• Hospice of Dubuque

Arlene’s family would like to thank the Area Agency on Aging for all of the support they have given to the family over the last two years, as well as No Place Like Home for all of the caregiving they provided. The family would also like to thank all of the nurses and staff at Hospice of Dubuque for their wonderful professionalism and compassion during Arlene’s end of life care.

Online condolences may be shared with Arlene’s family at www.tristatecremationcenter.com