Arlene Marion (Hutchens) Silvest Willms, 102, of Iowa Falls, Iowa pasted away June 18, 2025 at Hansen Family Hospital in Iowa Falls, Iowa. Mass of Christian Burial for Arlene Marion Willms will be 10:30 am  Monday June 23, 2025 at St Mark Catholic Church 415 Main Street Iowa Falls. Visitation will be Sunday, June 22, 2025 2:00 to 4:00 pm at Linn’s Funeral Home Chapel 1521 Washington Avenue, Iowa Falls. Burial will be at St. Mark Cemetery following services. Memorials may be directed to the family of Arlene Willms memorial, Linn’s Funeral Home, 1521 Washington Avenue, Iowa Falls, Iowa 50126. Arlene Marion Hutchens was born on May 19, 1923, to Frances and Earl Hutchens in the family farmhouse northeast of Bradford Franklin County, Iowa.  She joined two brothers: Everett and Cecil, and one sister Catherine.  She lived on a farm with her family until 1930 when her folks could no longer afford the rent on the farm.  So, with two wagons and teams of horses they loaded all their worldly goods, they made their way to Hampton, Iowa.  They moved often around Hampton. Her father finally found work digging graves and as a janitor at the school.  The family had 5 more children, Earl, Bob, Jerry, Leo, and Imogene.  Arlene attended Hampton schools.  Once she was old enough, she would babysit for money.

When she was in 6th grade, she was playing on a neighbor’s concrete drive covered with ice and fell and broke part of her top front tooth.  Then a year later, one of her brothers tripped her and she broke part of another top tooth.  She knew her folks could not afford to get her a partial plate.  In 1940 when her mother asked her what she wanted for Christmas, and she told her, her two front teeth.  The dentist in Hampton wanted $100.  A lady told her mother about a dentist in Mason City that would do a partial plate for $15.  She got her teeth replaced.        

She would meet her first husband, Stanley F. Silvest Sr., in October 1940.  He asked her to marry him, and she said not until she had graduated from high school.  She graduated in May 1942, and they wed in August of that year.  They moved to a farm in Ellis Township Hardin County, Iowa south of Iowa Falls. Their home didn’t have electricity or running water.

In March 1944, a son was born, Stanley Jr.  He was followed by two sisters, one in July 1947 Elizabeth and the other in January 1949 Cynthia.  In 1953 They moved their family and farming operation to Cresco in Howard County, Iowa.  The farm was on the Iowa/Minnesota state line.  They worked hard to rebuild their farming operation.  In August 1957 Bruce another son arrived, and later another son arrived in December 1961 Steve.  In March 1963 she and Stanley were dealt a blow with a diagnosis of health issues for Stanley.  After selling the farm, they moved to Hubbard, Iowa to be closer to their families.

Not finding employment, Stanley started driving a truck and Arlene was his dispatcher while continuing to raise their family.  On Christmas morning 1963, it started with heartbreak.  The sheriff delivered the news that the oldest son Stan Jr. was killed in a car/train accident early in the morning.  They were devastated with the loss of their son.  Stanley and Arlene continued running the trucking company. But even with tragedy life goes on.

Liz got married in June 1967.  A grandson, Scott, arrived in December 1967.  Arlene flew to California to visit her first grandchild.  This was the first time she had been on a plane.  Another grandson, Chris, arrived in February 1970.  Arlene made trips to California to visit her grandchildren often.  In May 1977 Liz got remarried.  Two daughters joined her family: Monique and Nicole.

In July 1971 Stanley had a heart attack and could no longer drive a truck.  He went to a vocational rehab school and in 1972 learned how to do shoe repair and opened his own shop. He also earned his GED.

In May of 1971 Cyndy became the first College graduate of the family. On July 1971 Cyndy got married. In December 1981 they adopted a son: Lee. Arlene welcomed him as she had the other grandchildren. In 1982 Suzy came to join Cyndy’s family as a foster child. In December 1984 Lane was born. In 1989 Suzy was adopted. In July 1996 Cyndy got married.  In June 1975 Bruce got married.  He became a United States Marine.  In October 1975 Jamie, their first son, was born.  In November 1976 Mike a second son was born.  In August 1979 Jon a third son was born.

In October 1977 Stanley passed away.  Arlene remarried in April 1982 to Harlan Willms.

In October 1983 Steve got married.  A son, Derrick, was born in November 1984.  Another son, Tyler, arrived in July 1989.

When she was 100 years old, she rode in an electric car, a far cry from a horse drawn wagon. She had over 100 friends and family help her celebrate that birthday.

Arlene had 5 children, 12 grandchildren, and 16 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by both husbands, Stanley and Harlan, 1 son Stanley Jr., and 1 grandchild Suzy.