It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Arla Jean Carmean of Ames, IA, died peacefully on Tuesday, May 9th at Northridge Village in Ames, IA surrounded by the love of her daughters and sister. Funeral services and a celebration of her life will be Monday, June 26th 4:00 - 6:00pm at The Parlor (119 Washington Ave, Ames, IA 50010). Rev. Brian Simmons of Bethesda Lutheran Church will be officiating a brief service from 4:00 - 4:15 followed by a reception. Online condolences can be made to: www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com

Arla was born March 12, 1943, in Wall, SD to Arnold and Phyllis Anderson. The family moved to Dickens, IA to farm when she was in the second grade. The stories she told of churning butter, catching chickens for dinner and all the shenanigans during chores proved a love of the Iowa farm life. She was a salutatorian of Lake Township Consolidated High School graduating in 1961 and continued her education at AIB in Mankato, MN.

Arla, known as the girl in the orange sweater, caught the eye of Charles Samuel Carmean II and they were married on April 23rd, 1966. Arla worked for the Department of Transportation prior to starting her family. The joy of her life came when she became a mother to their two daughters, Tamra and Tara. Arla's life then became all about helping her girls find their passions and love in life. She supported them in all their activities and was their biggest fan.

When the girls were back in school she began her career at the Ames Community School District as a school secretary for Kate Mitchell and Northwood Elementary Schools before retiring in 2004 after 21 years. She was truly the heart of the school and cared deeply for the staff, students and families. She maintained friendships formed during those years and enjoyed coffee, early morning breakfasts and especially Taco Tuesday at Pizza Pit long into retirement. She had an open door for anyone who needed a word of advice and always had enough food at dinner in case someone stopped by which happened frequently.

Arla was a very skilled crafter, sewing, knitting, doing ceramics, needlepoint and never shied away from trying something new. Arla could also frequently be found in the garden, golfing or in the fishing boat. While she was never front and center, she could always be found preparing food, decorating and supporting any event that was important to her, adding the special touches that made everyone around her feel loved.

Heartbreak came when she lost her best friend and husband in 2006. Arla relied on her faith, friends and family to help her accept the loneliness of life without her Charlie.

Arla was a proud grandma to Tara's children and was often found on the sidelines of their sporting events and center stage for their band concerts. Her faith was important to her and she enjoyed the Saturday night services at Bethesda Lutheran Church and worked in the church office for years.

Arla is survived by her two daughters, Tami (Doug) Kucera of Denver, CO and Tara (Brett) Wangen of Fort Collins, CO, her three grandchildren, Tyler, Cody and Ava Wangen of Fort Collins, CO and her sister LeAnn (Bob) Siegle of Burlington, IA; sisters-in-law, Carol Carmean Houge (Curt) of Ames, IA, Jennifer Carmean of Aurora CO; brother-in-law, Marlin Marckmann, of Greenfield, IA; and many nieces and nephews.

Arla was preceeded in death by her husband, Charles Samuel Carmean and her parents Arnold and Phyllis Anderson and her sister, Sharon Marckmann.

The world was a better place because Arla shared her kindness and love to those around her. She will be missed by so many but we all know she is at peace and enjoying a round of golf once again with Charlie in heaven.