Arlene Esther Stendel

Arlene Esther (Bodensteiner) Stendel, age 83 of Castalia, Iowa, died on Tuesday January 28, 2025 at her home. Arlene Esther Stendel was born July 16, 1941, the daughter of Greg and Agnes (Balk) Bodensteiner on the family farm near Castalia, Iowa. Arlene graduated from DeSales Catholic School in Ossian. As a child, she loved riding her horse, Queeny, roller skating at Art's Roller Rink, playing basketball at DeSales, and weekends with cousins on the Bodensteiner Farm.
Arlene married Earl Stendel on June 6, 1961, at St. Francis DeSales Church by Father Weiss. Arlene worked on the farm doing field work and taking care of her four children. Later, she worked at the Ossian Café, Livingood's Supper Club, The Wagon Wheel, Mabes Pizza, Bambinos and also managed the Silver Springs Golf and Country Club. The Stendel Home was home to many that stayed, babysitting services, and she cooked many meals. Several of her siblings lived at the house over the years. Arlene loved helping her kids and grandkids with their 4-H projects and attended many animal shows at the fair. She loved gardening, her chickens, sewing, and baking. She sewed several special gifts for her family every year for Christmas. She enjoyed living on the farm, watching her chickens and Blake's sheep. She was always on call during lambing season. She enjoyed mowing lawn and driving the ranger to keep watch over Moneek Budd's Pumpkins. She also attended many, many sporting events for her grandchildren and now great grandchildren. Rarely did she miss an event. She liked the ISU Women's Basketball Team and especially Audi Crooks. She was able to attend a game last year and loved it.
Arlene's survivors include her daughters, Pam (Doug) Buddenberg Castalia, Iowa, Karla (Ken) Hanson, Elgin, Iowa and Kim (Joe) Kazynski, West Union, Iowa, and daughter-in-law, Elaine (Rick) Reuter, Peosta, Iowa; grandchildren, Dawn (Stephen) Mausser, Dana Stendel, Brittany (Justin) Heins, Bridget (Matt) Lechtenberg, Blake (Michelle) Buddenberg, Chelsey (Matt) Durnan, Collin Friend (Lauren) Hanson, Claire Hanson and fiancé Lane Schnedler, Nicholas Paul, Stephanie (Bill) Prigge and Lindsey (Mike) Thibadeau; great-grandchildren, McKoy Mausser, Decklyn, Beckett, Schuler, and Vera Heins, Leyton, Lucca, and Mila Lechtenberg, Bryson and Jett Buddenberg, Ellie, Ivy, Wren, and Myles Durnan, and Hunter Thibadeau; sister-in-law, Diana Bodensteiner of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; brothers, Dale and Donna Bodensteiner, Ossian, Iowa, Bob and Gin Bodensteiner, Elkader, Iowa, Lyle and Nancy Bodensteiner, Waukon, Iowa, Keith and Chris Bodensteiner, Ossian, Iowa, and many nieces and nephews.
Service Notice
Arlene was preceded in death by her husband, Earl Stendel, on September, 28, 2002; her son, Scott Stendel, on June 23, 2008; parents, Greg and Agnes Bodensteiner; father and mother-in law, Miles and May Ames; sister, Clarinda (Ludger) Thuente and brothers, Virgil (Connie) Bodensteiner, Cornell (June) Bodensteiner, Jerry Bodensteiner, and Leo Bodensteiner.
Adversity; the spice of life. What does spice do? Well, it imparts flavor and interest. A life without adversity might be nice for even a very long time, but couldn't be heroic or adventurous or exciting. Trouble challenges us and forces us to be creative, persistent, and brave. It strengthens us. Arlene passed away on January 28, 2025, leaving behind a richly seasoned and well-stocked spice rack. Her laughter was a pinch of cayenne, her kindness a generous heap of cinnamon, and her unwavering spirit, a dash of ginger, warming the hearts of all that knew her. Though her time on earth has ended, the flavors of her presence will linger in our memories; a delicious blend of joy, love, and resilience forever.
A Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 pm with a Rosary at 3:30 pm on Friday, February 7, 2025 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Ossian, Iowa. There will also be a one hour visitation before mass time at the church on Saturday.
Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be at 12:30 pm on Saturday, February 8, 2025 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Ossian, Iowa with Rev. Henry Huber as the Celebrant.
Inurnment will follow at Centennial Cemetery in Ossian, Iowa.
Schmitz-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Ossian, Iowa is assisting the family with services.