Arliss Willyard
We mourn the loss of Arliss Willyard, who died October 9, 2019 at age 86 from complications of Alzheimer’s disease at the Oelwein Care Center in Oelwein. A funeral service was held Monday, October 14 at Zion Lutheran Church in Oelwein.
Arliss Fern (Aldrich) Willyard was born in August 7, 1933 in Longview Township near Carrington, ND to Claude and Anna (Vollmers) Aldrich. Despite humble beginnings, Arliss’ fierce determination enabled her to fulfill her dreams and become a beloved wife, mother, parishioner and business woman.
She married the love of her life, Howard (Jerry) Willyard, in 1952 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Carrington. They made their homes in Carrington, ND, Rushford, MN, and Waverly, New Hampton, Waukon and Oelwein in Iowa as they followed Jerry’s career in LP gas. Arliss worked for several years at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 18 years in banking and 11 years as the owner of her own bookkeeping and secretarial business.
Arliss was an avid reader, golfer and state qualifying bowler, participating in bowling league until she was 84 years old. She loved needlecrafts, particularly quilting, making countless beautiful quilt tops for raffles and church programs. Arliss enjoyed cooking and baking and made her home warm and welcoming. No one will make a cherry pie or kalishkes quite as well again.
Arliss is survived by her husband, Jerry; her daughter, Sandra (Ronnie) Graf of Oelwein; her son, Montel (Lori) Willyard of West Des Moines; her granddaughter, Jennifer (Ron) Worrell of Reinbeck; her grandson, Shane Galligan of Ankeny; her great-grandchildren, Samantha (Jason) Grill of Waterloo, Jamie Worrell of Marshalltown, and Henry and Claudia Galligan of Ankeny; her great-great grandson, Orion Grill of Waterloo; and a sister, Marilyn (George) Laughlin of Oregon.
Because Arliss enjoyed walking on the Oelwein recreational trails, in lieu of flowers we think she would be pleased if donations are made in her name to Friends of the Trail in care of the City of Oelwein, 20 Second Avenue SW, Oelwein, IA 50662.
The Geilenfeld-Buehner Funeral Home is caring for arrangements. For condolences, please visit www.geilenfeldfh.com.
