Funeral Service WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2008 11:00 AM
ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH MANNING, IOWA
REVEREND PATRICK SPARLING, OFFICIATING
Music "HOW GREAT THOU ART" "I AM BUT A STRANGER HERE" "THE OLD RUGGED CROSS" CONGREGATION
FERN JENSEN, ORGANIST
Casket Bearers PATRICK ABILDTRUP, RONALD HILL, EDWARD MEIERS, RONALD JOCHIMSEN, RICK SPACK, STEVE HAUSMAN
Interment MANNING CEMETERY MANNING, IOWA
Arrangements entrusted to Ohde Funeral Home

Arlene, daughter of William Jr. and Hulda (Ohrt) Ruhde, was born May 31, 1917 at Manning, Iowa. She lived in and attended school in Manning, then worked for a time at Parrott Produce in Manning.

On June 21, 1936, Arlene was united in marriage with Victor Spack at Maryville, Missouri. The couple briefly worked at the Denison Hotel in Denison, Iowa, before moving to Deloit to farm with Vic's family. In 1948, they moved to Manning and farmed south of town. Arlene and Vic purchased a tavern in Manning in 1961 (Vic's Place) and moved into town. Victor died in 1965 and Arlene continued to run the tavern. In 1978, she sold the business to her son, Mike.

Arlene's friends and family remained at the center of her life. She also enjoyed playing bingo and volunteering at the congregate meals. In 1992 Arlene was united in marriage with Alvin Jensen at Zion Lutheran Church in Manning. Arlene was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and was active in the Ladies Guild. She is also a current VFW Auxiliary member.

Arlene moved to the Manning Plaza Nursing Home in 2000. She died there on Saturday night, March 8, 2008, at the age of 90 years, 9 months and 8 days.

Preceding her in death are her parents; husband Victor Spack; husband Alvin Jensen; son Kenneth Michael Spack; infant daughter at birth, Janice Spack; grandson Eric Michael Spack; brother Harold Ruhde and two infant brothers.

Arlene is survived by her children: Linda and husband Michael Abildtrup of Ft. Dodge and Mark Spack and wife Patti of Omaha, NE; grandchildren: Emily Spack of Omaha, NE; Stacey and husband Scott Johnson of Des Moines; and Patrick Abildtrup of Clive; great-granddaughter Anna Johnson; sisters: Marjorie Loftus of Manning; Dorothy Wiese of Manning; and Vergene Hausman of Halbur; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

The Chariot
Because I could not stop for Death
He kindly stopped for me;
The carriage held but just ourselves
And immortality.

We slowly drove, we knew no haste,
And I had to put away
My labour, and my leisure too,
For his civility.

We passed the school where children played
Their lessons scarcely done;
We passed the fields of grazing grain,
We passed the setting sun.

We paused before a house that seemed
A swelling on the ground;
The roof was scarcely visible,
The cornice but a mound.

Since then 'tis centuries; but each
Feels shorter that the day
I first surmised the horses' heads
Were toward eternity.
Emily Dickinson

The family wishes to express their gratitude for your kindness evidenced in thought, word and deed, and invites you to join them for lunch and fellowship at the church following the committal service.