Arlene Louise Lepon

When it is time for me to go, I feel sure that with my last breath, I will walk down the road and all those who have passed before me will meet me at the bridge and we will walk together back over to The Place at the Lake. Arlene Louise LePon, 89, left her earthly body on November 15, 2014 and returned to her version of heaven, The Place at the Lake, the childhood home of her most cherished memories, which was located in the Sebago Lake/Standish area of Maine. A memorial service celebrating Arlenes life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 22, at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home, 8201 Hickman Rd., Urbandale, Iowa where the family will greet friends for one hour prior to the service. Arlene was born on July 24, 1925 in Portland, Maine to Benjamin and Pearla Crowley. In 1942, she was named valedictorian of Standish High School and then went on to graduate from Becker Junior College in Worcester, Mass. Arlene met the love of her life, Walter (Wally) Joseph LePon, in 1945 while attending the V-J celebration at Old Orchard Beach, Maine and they were united in marriage on June 15, 1946. They were blessed with three children, Linda, Waleigh and Darlene. After Wallys death in 1957, Arlene moved her three young children to Hollywood, Florida. She raised her children alone, with the help of some very special people, namely her parents, Ben and Pearl, and babysitter turned friend, Carole Shine of Dedham, Mass. In 1973 Arlene moved to Ames, Iowa while Darlene and Waleigh attended Iowa State University. Five years later she returned to Florida. Sarasota was her paradise for the next 27 years, where she purchased a home while working as an editor for A.C. Nielsen. After her retirement in 1992, Arlene then became involved with volunteering at the Ringling Museum of Art, the University of South Florida Senior Academy, and the Sarasota Public Library. Iowa once again became her home when she moved to Des Moines in 2006 to be closer to family. Arlene loved exploring Iowa, taking country drives to enjoy the scenery and wildlife, visiting small towns, and stopping at any local winery. She also had a passion for writing and left a legacy of stories about her childhood and her journey through life. Arlene is survived by her children Darlene LePon (Shari Addy) of Des Moines, Waleigh LePon of Vancouver, Washington, and Linda Kane of Bristol, Connecticut; brother Richard Crowley; six grandchildren, Lindsay, Leigh, LesPaul (Andrea), David, Stephen, Jennifer (Jay) and five great grandchildren, Patrick, Aiden, Addison, Shay and Brylee. She was preceded in death by her husband Wally LePon, parents Ben and Pearl Crowley, brother Willard Crowley, granddaughter Heather Kane, her many poodles, and her beautiful cat Crystal. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Animal Rescue League. The family would also like to thank the staff at Martina Place Assisted Living and Mercy Hospice in Johnston, Iowa for the care they provided.