Arlene J. Galvin, age 89, of Holstein, passed away on Sunday, September 17, 2017 at the Horn Memorial Hospital of Ida Grove. A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, September 22, 2017 at 2:00 PM at the Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church of Holstein with the Fr. Dan Guenther officiating. Burial will be at the Calvary Cemetery of Holstein. A visitation will be held on Thursday, September 21, 2017 from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM with a Scriptural prayer service at 7:00 PM and a rosary at 5:30 PM at the church.
Arlene Johanna Galvin was born June 3, 1928 in Ida County to Freida (Jessen) and William Thomsen. She was a graduate of Cushing High School, and earned a teaching certificate from Buena Vista College. She taught country school for five years. She was a member of the Johnny Galvin Orchestra which was “The Biggest Little Band in the Midwest.”
Arlene was united in marriage to John Lyman Galvin on November 25, 1950 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church. They raised their four children in Holstein, Iowa.
Arlene was a member of several card clubs and the Rosary Society at OLGC Catholic Church. She enjoyed painting china, sewing, raising chickens and working side by side with John on the farm and with the band. She was an excellent baker, with apple pie and cinnamon rolls being her specialty. She valued her family and her faith over everything.
She is survived by her daughter, Teresa (Zahid) Galvin of Kansas City, MO and her daughter, Catherine Galvin; daughter, Barbara (Robert) Wadsley of Linn Grove, IA and their children, Alex Tellefsen, David (Kelly) Tellefsen and Alexander Wadsley; son, Thomas (Joyce) Galvin of Holstein, IA and their children, Joseph (Riley) Galvin, Erin (DJ) Stover, Andrew (Jade) Galvin and Jill Galvin; son, Robert Galvin (special friend Theresa) and his children, Steven (Michelle) Galvin, Johnathon Galvin and Sarah (fiancée Cody) Galvin; great-grandchildren, Emma, Audrey, Cadence, and Paisley. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Cathie Galvin of South Sioux City, NE and many nieces and nephews.
Arlene was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John; two sisters, Adela (Chuck) Rossman and Anna (Lorenz) Sievert.