Arlene Wynia

ARLENE JOANN WYNIA was born on May 28, 1930 to Clarence and Rena (Wissink) Den Herder in Sioux Center, Iowa. On July 6, 1930, she was baptized at the First Reformed Church of Sioux Center. Arlene attended country school and graduated from Sioux Center High School in 1947. On September 7, 1951, Arlene was united in marriage to Melvin J. Wynia at her parents’ home in Sioux Center. After obtaining her teaching certification, she taught in country school until Melvin’s discharge from the Army in 1953. The couple then made their home in Rock Rapids, Iowa and farmed there until 1964, when they purchased a farm near Luverne. In 1995, they left the farm and moved to a home in town. On November 12, 2003, Melvin preceded Arlene in death. Arlene continued to live in her own home until August 2018 when she moved to Poplar Creek. In February 2019, she became a resident of the Good Samaritan – Mary Jane Brown nursing home. On Wednesday, January 11, 2023, Arlene passed away peacefully at the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage at the age of 92 years, 7 months, and 13 days.

First and foremost, Arlene was a loving wife and devoted mother to her very grateful family. She was a member of the American Reformed Church where she taught Sunday school for several years, belonged to the Rebecca Circle, and played piano for choirs, quartets, and other singers and events. Arlene also volunteered at Justice for All, Booking Buddies, and made quilts with church friends. She was grateful for the opportunity to travel the country on bus trips during her free time and truly treasured the time she spent supporting the activities of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Arlene was a devoted wife and mother who was a model of Christian love, patience, and unselfishness for her family and others who knew her.

She is lovingly remembered by her children and grandchildren:

Merlin & Debra Wynia of Luverne

     Julie (Adam) Brown

     Cara (Ernie) Flemig

     Ryan (Corey) Wynia

David & Rhonda Wynia of Luverne

     Rachel (Andrew) Gregoire

     Lanae (Nick) Brown

     Spencer (Jenna) Wynia

Charlene Feikema of Luverne

     Shawn (Becky) Feikema

     Michael (Staci) Feikema

     Ross (Lisa) Feikema

Marla & Victor Van Dyk of Sioux Falls

     Gabrielle (Mark) Lindberg

     Nichole (Brian) Van Hill

     Krista (Taylor) Rignell

Carol & Warren Sandbulte of Luverne

     Kimberly (Ryan) Sandbulte-Drake

Janna & Brad Klarenbeek of Luverne

     Paul (Megan) Klarenbeek

     Emily Cowell

     Shelby (Brett) Rozenboom

Delores Peery of Sioux Falls

     Carson Peery

     Sydney Peery

Roger & Julie Wynia of Luverne

     Leah Wynia

     Piper Wynia

She is also lovingly remembered by her sister-in-law, Frances Wynia of Sioux Center, Iowa; and twenty-six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin; parents, Clarence and Rena Den Herder; sons-in-law, Matt Peery and Chuck Feikema; grandson-in-law, Zach Cowell; great-grandson, Ethan Brown; sisters, Gertrude Leusink and Genevieve Leusink; brothers-in-law, Gerrit John Leusink and Gerrit Henry Leusink; mother and father-in-law; three other brothers-in-law; and four sisters-in-law.