Faye Arends

Faye Corrine Arends, 92, of Gilbert passed away peacefully at Eastern Star Masonic Home in Boone on Monday, December 8, 2025. Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 12, 2025 at Gilbert Lutheran Church with visitation one hour prior to the service. A private burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Jewell. Foster Funeral and Cremation Center is entrusted with the services.

Faye was born on March 19, 1933, daughter of Chris and Florence (Henderson) Vespested in Story City. She was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ellsworth and confirmed at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Jewell. Faye graduated from Jewell High School in 1950. Faye went to Iowa State Teachers College (now UNI) and then worked at IBM Statistical Laboratory at Iowa State from 1951- 1956.

On November 3, 1956 Faye was united in marriage to Rodney Arends at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Jewell. The couple farmed north of Stanhope. She and Rodney were proud parents of a daughter, Diane. Faye enjoyed being a housewife and devoted mom.

Faye was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Stanhope, where she was involved in various activities including Sunday School and Ladies Aid. She moved to Gilbert and built a house to be closer to her daughter and family in 1996 after Rodney’s death. Faye was an active member of Gilbert Lutheran Church, where she enjoyed bible study and socializing. She loved playing cards with her friends, Okoboji trips, and family gatherings.

Faye dearly loved and was very giving to her family and others. She was very proud of her family, treasured her many friendships and relished the time spent with her sister, daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be remembered for her beautiful smile, her unwavering love and the joy she brought to people around her.

She is survived by her daughter, Diane (Wayde) Klingbeil of Gilbert; grandchildren: Tyler (Brooke) Klingbeil of West Des Moines, Katie (Mack) Boothe of Gilbert; great-grandchildren: Nolan Klingbeil, Olivia Boothe and Kaden Boothe; sister, Miriam Peter of Stanhope and sisters-in-law; Martha Ann Arends of Story City and Cleo Dell Henderson of Fort Dodge.

Faye was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Rodney Arends; her parents, Chris and Florence Vespested; brothers-in-law, Rodger Arends, Clinton Arends, Earl Henderson, and Robert Peter and sister-in law, Lila Arends.

Faye will be remembered as a very loving mother and grandmother who faced life with grace, strength, and a generous heart. We thank God for her!