Arlene Te Poel (Grama T.), age 87, went to heaven August 2, 2022.
She was born to Jacob and Freda Schaible of Eureka, South Dakota on October 4, 1934. She graduated from Glenham High School in South Dakota in 1953. Arlene married Hugh Te Poel on February 28, 1954, in Mobridge, South Dakota.
They moved to Sioux City, Iowa in 1959. She attended various colleges around Iowa. She started working for the Head Start Program in 1968. She started as a teacher aide and worked her way up from teacher aide to a teacher, education coordinator, and head director, retiring in 2004.
She loved working with preschool children and their families. She loved her family, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She and Hugh traveled to many rodeos over the years. She loved gardening and fishing. She volunteered at the South Sioux City Eagles and the South Sioux City Senior Center. She loved country music and dancing. Grama T. made banana bread that her family loved, and she baked it for them often. She lived a full life. She was a beautiful, strong, and independent woman.
Survivors are her son, Mark Te Poel of Waco, Texas; daughter, Angela Osborn and husband Jimmy of Sioux City, Iowa; daughter, Diane Rockman and husband Rod of Payson, Arizona; seven grandchildren, Aaron Case and wife Natasha, Kelly Mullins and husband Derek, Mandy Te Poel, Dylan Te Poel and wife Rebekah, Abigail Hattaway and husband Cathan, Faith Te Poel, Janet Te Poel; eleven great grandchildren, Chasity Case, Christopher Case, Kaydence Case, Tagan Case, Corvin Case, Brady Mullins, Piper Te Poel, Heidi Te Poel, Joey Wildasin, Ainsley Wildasin, Skylar Wildasin.
She is preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, one sister, and her husband Hugh.
Per Arlene’s wishes there will be no services.