Furler, Arlene M.

Arlene M. Furler, 90, of Cedar Rapids, passed into Eternal Glory early Friday, June 24, 2011, after a lingering cancer illness at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, Hiawatha. Funeral services: 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 29, at Bethany Lutheran Church, with Pastor Joe Polzin officiating. Visitation will be held at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and one hour before the service Wednesday at the church. Entombment: Cedar Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Arlene was born May 26, 1921, in rural Blairstown, to Albert and Mary (Siek) Tiedemann. She was baptized and confirm in the Christian faith at Grace Lutheran Church, Blairstown. She graduated from Blairstown High School in 1939 and married the love of her life, Martin Furler, on June 28, 1939, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, West Rutland Township, Minnesota.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Susan and David Ridout of Cedar Rapids; grandson, Matthew (Wendy) Ridout of Ankeny; granddaughter, Tracy (Jason) Alt of Cedar Rapids; and great-grandchildren, Krista, Jillian and Connor Alt. Also surviving are sisters-in-law, Darlene Tiedemann of Blairstown and Mary Furler of Ely; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and devoted friends.

Preceding her in death were her parents; a brother, Renn Tiedemann; and her husband, Martin in 1976.

A member of Bethany Lutheran Church of Cedar Rapids, she loved her many years of volunteering in the church office and participating in Leisure League activities. Her other volunteer work included assisting in the Flower-Gift Shop and Baby Gift Shop at St. Luke's Hospital, where she dearly loved helping others.

Arlene and her husband were members of Elmcrest Country Club, where she remained an active golfer until age 84. She also played in several Bridge groups for many years. Her Bridge friends were so special to her and she remained active until two weeks before her death. She enjoyed Iowa Hawkeye sports, dining out and attending theater and symphony events, and gardening in her daughter Susan's yard.

Arlene was very proud of her rural heritage and upbringing and made numerous visits to the Benton County area to see the progress of her farm crops as well as revisiting family members still in the area and anything that reminded her of her days on the farm.

Arlene was a special friend to many, a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was always caring, loving and supportive to her family and loved entertaining and cooking for family gatherings.

Memorials may be directed to the Vinton Lutheran Home in Vinton, Iowa; Lutheran World Relief and Human Care, PO Box 66861, St. Louis, MO 63166-6861 or to a charity of the donor's choice.

Arlene's family is grateful to the many involved in her care and support during this illness: Doctor Chirantan Gosh and staff, Dr. Kenneth Cearlock, her caring nurses and professionals at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice of Mercy as well as Peggy and Pamela at St. Luke's Hospice, Parish Nurse Rhonda Anderson, Pastor Joe Polzin of Bethany Lutheran and numerous friends and family who made her final days peaceful and comforting.

Online condolences may be sent to  under obituaries.