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Twedt, Arlene Harriet (Rystad)
Arlene Harriet (Rystad) Twedt, 88, of DeWitt, formerly of Spirit Lake, died early Saturday morning, Sept. 18, 2010, at Westwing Place, DeWitt. Arlene was born April 15, 1922, in Rembrandt, Iowa.
She attended Waldorf College and graduated from Capitol City College where she met her husband, Curtis Allen Twedt. They were married Sept. 1, 1943, in San Diego, where he was stationed with the US Marine Corps. In 1946, they moved back to the Des Moines area. Arlene was a homemaker, raising two children, Barbara Ann and Richard James. In 1965, she began as the secretary of Willard School in Des Moines, where she worked until 1972, becoming the secretary of Pleasant Hill Elementary School.
In 1984, she and Curt retired to Spirit Lake, where Arlene designed and they built their dream home on the lake. They decorated the house with antiques they had collected over the years. She enjoyed entertaining friends from Des Moines. Arlene collected antiques and owls, delivered Meals on Wheels, had a sweet tooth and enjoyed cooking and making candies. She and Curt were members of Grace Lutheran Church in Spirit Lake.
Arlene is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Kenneth Erwin of Bettendorf; a son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Lisa Twedt of Cedar Rapids; and a brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Gloria Rystad of Grand Forks, N.D.
Also surviving are grandson and wife, Kenneth and Amy Erwin of Ankeny; and great-grandchildren, Skyler, Morgan, Joseph, Joshua and Emily Erwin.
Preceding Arlene in death was her husband, Curtis; sisters, Arvis Rystad and Maxine Kuehnast; granddaughter, Tiffany Ann Erwin; and grandson, Christopher Erwin.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010, in Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt. The Rev. Sarah E. Kretzmann will officiate. Visitation will be a half-hour before the service.
The family would like to thank the staff of Westwing Place and Genesis Hospice in Dewitt, for the kind care for Arlene and Curt received the past few years.
Condolences may be expressed and a photo tribute viewed at
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