Arlene J. Haarsma, 86, Sanborn

A memorial service for Arlene J. Haarsma was held Monday, May 20, 2024, at the First Reformed Church in Sanborn. Pastor Mark Ellens officiated.

Pallbearers were Jordan Smith, Brandon Smith, Daniel Froehling, Mike Visser, David Steuck and Mark Guggisberg. Honorary pallbearers were Nayra Green, Henry Smith, Harrison Smith, Rudy Smith, Dean Smith and Lincoln Smith. Interment was in Roseland Cemetery at Sanborn. Sanborn Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements.

Arlene Joyce Verbrugge was born June 1, 1937, to Katherine and Nick Verbrugge in Matlock. Born prematurely at only four pounds, her dad called her his “little shoe-box baby” because she was so tiny she could fit in a shoebox. But the impact of Arlene’s life and generous heart has been anything but tiny.

Arlene attended Sanborn Christian School and graduated from Western Christian High School in 1955. She attended Midwest Christian Junior College (Dordt University) for 1-1/2 years during its inaugural year of higher education. She left school to start a career at Prins Insurance.

She met Andrew Haarsma at a barn square dance in 1956, and the two continued correspondence while Andy was out of state until they married on Feb. 11, 1960. The marriage was blessed with two daughters: Vivian Faye and Valerie Kaye.

Arlene loved working on the farm, feeding calves, gardening, canning and baking. There was always extra food and coffee for anyone who stopped by at lunchtime and she was always the first one to show up with a pie or a good word for neighbors in difficult situations. Arlene kept people’s mailboxes full of letters and cards of support to friends who were celebrating, sick, grieving or sad.

Arlene joined the Hartley Vet Clinic in 1970 as their office manager, where she spent almost 50 years (both full-time and part-time) answering phones and two-way radios, advising farmers, dispensing meds, caring for animals and making popcorn for customers.

The Haarsmas created Trestle Park in the early 1990s, a little slice of Iowa heaven across from their home place. Over the past 30 years countless friends, family and community members have enjoyed picnicking and relaxing along the old covered bridge, cabins and chapel. Arlene’s amazing hospitality and welcome smile made everyone feel at home.

Arlene and Andy sold their acreage in 2006 and moved to Sanborn. Together they started their second career, a scrap metal business, cutting up and sorting old metal all over northwest Iowa and selling it to Shine Bros. in Spencer. After health issues in 2021, they retired from the junking business and moved to Prairie View Inn assisted living.

Arlene was a member of the Hartley Christian Reformed Church until it closed in 1991, and then a member of Sanborn First Reformed Church where she led vacation Bible school. Arlene volunteered doing Bible study correspondence with prisoners for over 20 years.

She passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at the age of 86, surrounded by her family. Arlene was preceded in death by her parents, Nick and Katherine Verbrugge; stepmother, Stella (Noteboom) Verbrugge; and three siblings: Jim Verbrugge, Myrna Koldenhoven and Wally Verbrugge.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 64 years, Andy; two daughters: Vivian (Mark) Smith, of Mankato, Minn., and Valerie Green, of Salt Lake City, Utah; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; one brother, Harvey Verbrugge; and many wonderful friends and family members.

Her grandchildren and great-grands treasure the memories of roasting hot dogs and marshmallows, learning the art of cat-whispering, playing games (with no time limits) on the dial-up computer, playing the marble game, making homemade ice cream, and learning to drive on gravel roads.