Arlene Ruth Speas
May 20, 1948 – August 16, 2025
Arlene Ruth (Kopel) Speas, 77, formerly of Haverhill and Marshalltown, Iowa, passed away peacefully on August 16, 2025. Arlene was born on May 20, 1948, to Leo and Ruth (Stalzer) Kopel, of rural Haverhill, Iowa. Arlene graduated from St. Joseph Grade School in Haverhill, Iowa, attended St. Mary’s High School in Marshalltown, Iowa, and then graduated from the new Lenihan Catholic High School in Marshalltown in 1966. She married Earl Speas in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Haverhill on August 23, 1969. To this marriage was born a daughter, Anna, on July 20, 1976.
Arlene retired as the office administrator of Dow AgroSciences Seed Laboratory in Marshalltown, Iowa, in 2011. She was active in the PEO, the PTA, where she served as president for a time, volunteered to assist the German Shepherd rescue of Iowa, and various volunteer political endeavors. After retirement, Arlene, Earl, and their German Shepherd, Willow, moved to Omaha to spend their retirement years close to their daughter and her family. Spending time with family was the most important part of Arlene’s life.
Left to mourn her passing are her husband, Earl; daughter, Anna; son-in-law, William Hugelman; three grandchildren: William, Michael and Sadie Hugelman; siblings: Merle Kopel of Marion, Iowa, Carol Kaser of Ames, Iowa, Duane Kopel (Beth) of Marshalltown, Iowa, Denise Halm (Dave) of Haverhill, Iowa; sister-in-law, Donna Goebel of Albuquerque, New Mexico; many nieces, nephews; and extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Leo and Ruth (Stalzer) Kopel; father-in-law, Ray Speas; mother-in-law, Evalyn Betts; sister-in-law, Georgia (Speas) Conrad.
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Saturday, August 30, 2025, at 10:30AM, St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, 15353 Pacific Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68130. The Family cordially invites attendees to join them for a Luncheon following the Mass.
INTERMENT: Omaha National Cemetery
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests any donations be made to the family to be distributed to Arlene’s favorite charities, and for a Memorial to be created in honor of her legacy as a much beloved lady.
Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler, West Center Chapel, 7805 West Center Road, Omaha, Ne 68124. (402)-391-3900. www.heafeyheafey.com
2 Comments
Carolyn and I want to express sympathy to you, Earl and Anna, and the extended family and friends that knew and loved Arlene. She was easy to love and spend time with. Our regret is that we did not have a closer relationship earlier in life, especially since Arelene and Carolyn hit it off so well and shared many of the same values in life. We mourn with you and fully trust the God of all comfort (The Lord Jesus Christ) will walk with you and sustain you in the days to come. Love you all,
Mark & Carolyn
Arlene and I became friends when we both joined Mary Kay Cosmetics. We were in Elma Huss’ unit here in Marshalltown. She was such a pleasant beautiful lady. I so enjoyed our visits together. I had lost track of Arlene until I was saddened to see she had passed away in the Marshalltown T-R paper. Just wanted you, her family, to know how blessed I was to know her if only for a brief time. May God’s peace and comfort be with you all.
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