Arlene Shafer

Arlene V. Shafer, 91, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, April 2, 2008, at the Atlantic Nursing and Rehab Center.

Arlene Virginia Shafer was born April 14, 1916, in Cumberland, Iowa, the daughter of John M. and Gertrude (Stackhouse) Lattimer.

She was a lifelong Cass County, Iowa, resident. Prior to her graduation from the Cumberland High School, Arlene played basketball in the 1933 Girls State Tournament.

On April 18, 1937, Arlene married Max Shafer in Maryville, Missouri.

Following their marriage, the couple farmed east of Grant, Iowa. In 1939 they began farming south of Atlantic near Cumberland. Arlene moved to Atlantic following Max's death in 1973.

While living in Cumberland, she was a member of the Cumberland United Methodist Church, and upon her move to Atlantic, she transferred her membership to the Atlantic First United Methodist Church.

Arlene was a 50-year member and Past Noble Grand of the Lotus Rebekah Lodge # 87 of Atlantic. She enjoyed playing cards and was a member of the Neighborhood Card Club.

Arlene and Max enjoyed fishing in Canada during their many years together. They also traveled to Texas during the winter to visit their daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren. The Iowa State Fair was annual event that was never missed by the family.

Arlene is survived by her daughter, Sharon Conner of Owasso, Oklahoma; her son, Larry Shafer and his wife, Linda of Atlantic, Iowa; five grandchildren, Cheri Smith and her husband, Jess of Pflugerville, Texas, Pam Marks and her husband, Ken of Houston, Texas, John Conner and his wife, Jennifer of Owasso, Oklahoma, Jennifer Richter and her husband, Brian of Adair, Iowa, and Amy Shafer of Blue Springs, Missouri. She is also survived by six great-grandchildren, Kari and Jared Smith, Jenna Conner, Hannah, Abbigael and Madeline Richter.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Gertrude Lattimer; her husband, Max; a brother, George Lattimer; a son-in-law, Ron Conner; and her great-grandson, Taylor Marks.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 5, 2008, at the Atlantic First United Methodist Church with the Reverend Gary DeGeest officiating.

Committal services and interment will be at the Grant Cemetery, Grant, Iowa.

Visitation will begin at 12 Noon Friday, with the family present from 7:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, is assisting with the arrangements.