We mourn the loss of Arliss Willyard, who died on October 9, 2019 at age 86 from complications of Alzheimer’s disease at the Oelwein Care Center in Oelwein, Iowa. A funeral service will be held on Monday October 14, 2019, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m., at Zion Lutheran Church in Oelwein. The Geilenfeld-Buehner Funeral Home is caring for arrangements. For condolences, please visit www.geilenfeldfh.com.
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, Waverly, IA, New Hampton, IA, Waukon, IA and Oelwein, IA, as they followed Jerry’s career in LP gas. Arliss worked for several years at the US Dept. 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, daughter Sandra (Ronnie) Graf of Oelwein, son Montel (Lori) Willyard of West Des Moines, granddaughter Jennifer (Ron) Worrell of Reinbeck, grandson Shane Galligan of Ankeny, great grandchildren Samantha (Jason) Grill of Waterloo, Jamie Worrell of Marshalltown, Henry and Claudia Galligan of Ankeny, great-great grandson Orion Grill of Waterloo and 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 2nd Avenue SW, Oelwein, IA 50662.
