Arlene Marie Gregersen

Arlene Marie Gregersen, the daughter of Emil and Eda (Rathkamp) Dreher, was born December 19, 1929, at her parents’ home north of Audubon, Iowa and died July 17, 2017, at her home in rural Audubon County east of Audubon, at the age of 87 years, 6 months, and 28 days.
Arlene was baptized and confirmed in the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church. She attended rural school Leroy #4, South of Ross, Iowa through the eighth grade then later earned her GED. Arlene helped on the family farm and also worked various jobs.
On May 8, 1948, she was united in marriage to Duane Kauffman. One daughter Carol was born to this union. Duane died in December of 1952. Arlene went back to work various jobs to help support her family.
On November 8, 1955, she married Howard Gregersen at a church in Council Bluffs, Iowa. They were blessed with two daughters Sherry and Leaha. They rented farms in the Audubon County area for a period of time before purchasing a farm east of Audubon. They grew row crops and raised livestock. Arlene and Howard worked side by side on the farm retiring after many years of hard work.
Besides farming Arlene found time to tend to her flower garden where she raised a variety plants. She had been a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Audubon. Arlene enjoyed crocheting and doing all sorts of needle work. They enjoyed going to the Iowa State Fair every year and Howard and Arlene enjoyed going out to eat with their many friends.
Preceding her in death was her first husband Duane Kauffman; her parents; her brothers Raymon Dreher and Louis and wife Valeria Dreher; and her sister Dorothy and husbands Stanley Mathisen and Alvin Hansen.
Survivors include her husband Howard Gregersen of Audubon, Iowa, her daughters Carol and husband Carl French of Manilla, Iowa, Sherry and husband Bill Buttler of Guthrie Center, Iowa, and Leaha Greene of Atlantic, Iowa; her grandchildren Jennifer and husband Dan Behrens of Manning, Iowa, Eric and wife Jennifer French of Waukee, Iowa, Kyle and wife Heather French of Cherokee, Iowa, April Boyd of Waukee, Iowa and Hannah Greene of Atlantic, Iowa; her great grandchildren Andrew French, Samantha French, Laura French, Grant Behrens, Claire Behrens, Sophia French, Lucas French, Matthew French, Autumn Boyd, and Ellamae Boyd; her sister-in-law Mildred Dreher of Audubon, Iowa; her brothers-in-law Thomas Kauffman of Alexandria, Virginia and Larry Kauffman of Hot Springs, Arkansas; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
The family will meet with friends Thursday afternoon, July 20, 2017, from 1:00 P.M until the time of the service at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon, Iowa. Funeral services will be conducted by Lay Minister Lee Nielsen Thursday afternoon, July 20, 2017, at 2:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon, Iowa. Interment will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon. The casket bearers will be Kyle French, Bill Buttler, Tim Greene, Mark Gregersen, Don Christensen, and Doug Carter.