Arlene J. Van Horn

Arlene J. Van Horn, 90, of Mason City, passed away on February 24, 2025, at the Oakwood Care Center. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Grace United Methodist Church, 200 14th St NW. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, February 28, 2025, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N Pennsylvania Ave. Interment will be held in Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Humane Society of North Iowa. 

Arlene Jeanette Van Horn was born August 10, 1934, in Mason City, the daughter of Albert and Bernice (Watts) Lester. She graduated from Mason City High School. Arlene briefly attended Nursing School in Minnesota. She was united in marriage to Dean Van Horn in Nashua, IA, but the couple later divorced. Arlene worked for Bankers Life Insurance for 15 years. She owned and operated Independent Secretarial Services. Arlene cared for her mother following the death of her father. She also served meals at auctions throughout North Iowa. Arlene served as an officer for the Wa-Tan-Ye Club for many years. She was very involved in the Youth Bowling league in Mason City and as a Girl Scout Leader.

In her youth and for many years, Arlene attended First Christian Church. Later in life, she became a member of Grace United Methodist Church serving on the church council. Arlene was chairperson of the Board of Trustees for over a decade. She also was president of Grace United Methodist Women's group from 2009-2013.

Arlene's kindness to others was truly evident. She dedicated a significant portion of her time to meeting the needs of those around her, often giving friends and family rides to appointments and helping them run errands. She cherished her time with her sister Betty and looked forward to their weekly phone calls. Arlene also participated in several card clubs with her mother. She was a member of the “Golden Girls”. Always ready for a good time, she was known for her quick wit and sense of humor, always sharing a joke or a story with a mischievous little smile.

Her love for animals, especially cats and birds, was apparent. Arlene provided in home foster care for cats, and, occasionally, wounded birds. In addition, Arlene enjoyed tending to the flowers in her yard. As a beloved grandmother, she was affectionately known as "Darling Grandma," and one of the "G'Ma's". Her great-grandchildren called her "GG Lene."

Arlene is survived by her daughter, Cindy Gaubatz, and son, Chip (Teresa) Van Horn, along with five grandchildren: Connie Johnson, Keri Olson, Bradley Johnson, Anna and Jenna Van Horn. She leaves behind eight great-grandchildren: Tessa (Dillion), Addison, Landon, Philip, Robert, Alexis, Nicholas, and Aliseo, as well as nephews and a niece. Arlene will be missed by her dear friend Marlyn “Jo” Lienemann, someone who weathered all of life with her.

Arlene was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Bernice Lester, infant son Craig Van Horn, granddaughter Bess Amanda Van Horn, sister Betty McLaughlin, brother-in-law Merle McLaughlin, and son-in-law David Gaubatz, along with her beloved friends, Carol Pinneke and Lucille Feldus.