Arlee Rae Beckerdite

Arlee Beckerdite, 80, died July 9th at Kavanagh House Hospice in Des Moines, IA, following a prolonged illness.

She was born April 24th, 1945, in Clinton, IA, the daughter of John Daniel Boothby and Bernetta Ruth (Hass) Boothby.

Arlee graduated from Miles High School, Miles, IA, with the class of 1962. Following graduation, she attended Patricia Stevens Finishing School in Chicago, IL. She returned to Clinton, IA, where she met and later married Joseph Anthony Kownacki. Three children were born to this union, Angela Kownacki, Amy (Kownacki) Martinez, and Anthony Kownacki. The family lived in Miles, Cedar Falls, Prairie City, and Des Moines, before eventually settling in Norwalk, Iowa.

While raising her children, Arlee worked as a pre-school teacher, a study hall monitor for Norwalk Schools, and as an executive administrative assistant for Meredith Corporation as well as General Growth. She later retired from Principal Financial Group.

Arlee later met and married the love of her life and best friend, Patrick Eugene Beckerdite in 1988. For the next 36 years, they enjoyed spending time with family and friends, traveling, holiday entertaining and tailgating for the Iowa Hawkeyes. She and Pat relocated to several states during their marriage including Minnesota, Virginia, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Texas before retiring to West Des Moines, IA. During retirement they enjoyed trips to Texas, and wintering in Destin, FL.

Arlee was preceded in death by her parents; brother, James Boothby, and nephew Jacob Boothby. Surviving are her husband, Patrick Beckerdite; Brother, John (Judy) W. Boothby; Sister-in-Law, Rhonda Boothby; Children, Angela Kownacki, Amy (Ruben) Martinez, and Anthony (Jennifer) Kownacki; Grandchildren, Amanda (Rick) Finley, Anthony (Chloe) Tucker, Sophie Mae Van Zee, Daren (Logan) Chambers, Abbigayle Boyer, Brady  Mooers, Emma (Collin) Kull; her great-grandchildren, Lucas, Adalynn, Owen, Niklaus, Charlie, Millie, Hiatt, Wallace, JoAnna and many nieces and nephews. 

A rosary will take place Friday, August 1st, at 4:30 pm at Caldwell Parish Funeral Home in Urbandale, IA, followed by visitation with friends and family from 5:00 until 7:00 pm. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, August 2nd, at 10:00 am at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in West Des Moines, IA, with a lunch reception to immediately follow. She will be laid to rest in a private ceremony.

To view a livestream of the service, please visit: Click Here

The family suggests memorials to: St. Jude’s Children's Research Hospital at www.stjude.org. The family thanks you in advance for any donations sent.