Marlene Arends

Marlene Arends, 87, of Ankeny died Saturday, September 5, 2026 at Mill Pond Care Center in Ankeny. A private family graveside will be held at First Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Foster Funeral and Cremation Center is entrusted with the services. 

Marlene Ruth Arends, daughter of Jans and Vina (Greenfield) Arends, was born February 25, 1939 on the family farm east of Kamrar. She graduated from Kamrar public schools. Marlene was a bookkeeper in Cedar Rapids and Des Moines for many years. 

She is survived by her sister-in-law, Jolene Arends of Naperville, IL; brother-in-law, Daryl Eslick of Webster City; nieces and nephews and their families, Shari Arends, Douglas (Chelle) Arends, Denny (Jenny) Eslick, Marty (Janet) Eslick, Marcia (Lon) Culbertson, Jeff (Cynthia) Eslick and Rob (Dee) Eslick. 

Marlene was preceded in death by her parents, Jans and Vina; sisters, Audrey Eslick, Virginia Arends and brothers, Kenneth Arends and Gary Arends.

 She loved watching her favorite teams play basketball – the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Indiana Fever.