Arlene Hamman

A service for Arlene Lorraine Hamman was held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, February 26, 2015 at Hastings Funeral Home in Perry. Visitation was one hour prior to the service. Pastor Charles Compton of the Perry Bible Church provided words of comfort. Honorary bearers were: Marty Gordon, Shari James, Samantha James, Natalie James, Jackson James, Jerry Mastin and Dennis Mastin. Casket bearers were: John Lentz, Henry Ruhl, Jim Pentico, Jimmy James, Craig Cave and Duane Norquist. Elta Summerson was the pianist. Interment took place at Violet Hill Cemetery in Perry, Iowa. Following the services at the cemetery was a luncheon in the Hastings Funeral Home Lounge. Arlene Lorraine Hamman, daughter of Willis William Mastin and Atla Elizabeth Gardiner Mastin, was born July 21, 1926 in Cedar Rapids, IA and died February 22, 2015 at the Rowley Memorial Masonic Home in Perry, IA. Arlene grew up in Cedar Rapids, then moved to Perry her Junior year, later graduating high school. After high school she worked for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company. On February 11, 1946 Arlene and Ed Hamman were united in marriage. The couple was blessed with a daughter Sandra. Arlene worked for Swifts Meat Packing, Mutt-Smithsons Grocery, Mrs. Wilson's Grocery and the Perry Daily Chief. She was not afraid to work. Arlene was a wonderful mother, helping Sandra with her projects. She always referred to Sandy as her "Side Kick". She enjoyed cross stitch, knitting, ceramics, and visiting with her many friends. Arlene was a tiny lady, but almost a human dynamo. Arlene loved the Perry Rec Center and put a lot of energy and time into it. She lined up volunteers for Wednesday dinners and collected the payments for the dinners. Being a very generous person, she saw to it that the meal site had beautiful Fiesta dinnerware. Her generosity and love of Perry led her to share her knowledge of Perry and research time with the Hotel Pattee in the decorating of their beautiful rooms. Arlene compiled a history of the Perry Railroads which is exhibited at the Forest Park Museum. She enjoyed working with the Perry Historical Preservation Committee, especially placing the bronze plaques around downtown Perry. Arlene (and Sandy) loved to decorate for all holidays. She also loved playing cards especially, Pinochle and Hand & Foot. Arlene was preceded in death by her parents, husband Ed Hamman, and two brothers Earl Mastin and Gaylord Mastin. Arlene is survived by and will be greatly missed by her daughter Sandra Gordon of Boone, IA; two grandchildren Shari James (Jimmy) of Sioux Falls, SD, and Marty Gordon of Wichita, KS; three great-grandchildren: Samantha James, Natalie James and Jackson James; sisters-in-law Phyllis Mastin of Burke, VA, Betty Hoffman of CA and Patricia Hamman of Des Moines, IA; brother-in-law Jerry Hamman (Marilyn) of Manchester, IA; nieces; nephews; other relatives and many friends. Memorials in Arlene's name are suggested to the McCreary Center Wednesday Meals or Rowley Memorial Masonic Home.