Arlene Clewell

Arlene Clewell, 71, of St. Charles passed away Monday, June 4, 2018, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines surrounded by family who loved her.
A visitation will be held from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, June 8, 2018, at Ochiltree Funeral Service in Winterset, with family present to receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 9, at Ochiltree Funeral Service.
In lieu of monetary contributions, we ask that you look into your heart to consider becoming an organ donor as it gave Arlene an additional 19 years and 9 months with her husband, Jim after his transplant. Donations may also be made to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa (www.arl-iowa.org).
Arlene Grace Grife was born June 19, 1946 in Melcher, Iowa to Cleo Deverne and Alta May (Braden) Grife. She graduated from Melcher Dallas High School in the class of 1964 and later married James Orlo Clewell on June 29, 1965.
Arlene had several jobs throughout her life including owning her own hair salon for many years, dispatching for the Madison County Sheriff’s office and then working for the Recorder’s office before retiring.
Arlene’s favorite thing in life was her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Nothing made her happier than spending time with them or cooking up a huge Sunday night family dinner. The fuller her house was with family, the happier she was. She also loved her plants and flowers. She spent days working on her flower beds so they would be perfect.
She is survived by her son, Alan (Val) Clewell of St. Charles; daughter, Lori (John) Weaver of New Virginia; sister-in-law, Beverly (Ron) Abbas of Ottumwa; brother-in-law, Rich Clewell of Davenport; four grandchildren, Brandon (Sarah) Weaver, Todd (Haylee) Clewell, Nicholas (Laura) Weaver and Luke (Megan) Clewell; two great-grandchildren, Paytyn Weaver and Lucas Clewell; other extended family and a host of friends.
Arlene was preceded in death by her parents; the love of her life, husband, Jim; and her brothers, Ralph, Donald and Wayne Grife.