Arlene Meinders

Arlene L. Meinders

Oskaloosa. Arlene L. Meinders, 78, of Oskaloosa, died Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at the Oskaloosa Care Center in Oskaloosa. She was born on December 17, 1946, in University Park, Iowa, the daughter of Carl Edward and Margaret Witt Phillips. Following school, she worked for families in her neighborhood helping with household chores. She later went to work as a waitress first at the Coffee Cup Restaurant and later at Woolworths. In 1963, she was united in marriage to Ron Green. To this union two children were born Dana and Terry. Ron and Arlene later divorced. In 1971, she was united in marriage to Junior Meinders. To this union three children were born Tania, and twins DeeDee and Derek. Junior and Arlene later divorced. For decades Arlene did an in-home daycare for families in Oskaloosa. She loved all the children she provided care for, but caring for her own grandchildren was very special to her. She was a devoted mother and grandmother and did her very best to make it to as many of her 16 grandchildren’s events as she could. Often times willing to brave weather that she should have been wise to watch the event on television. She was proud to say that her family was the joy of her life. She was an active member of the Good News Chapel in Oskaloosa where she helped in the kitchen and was always a part of Vacation Bible School. She was an avid reader and loved to work on puzzles. In her youth she enjoyed dancing. She was always up for a game of Yahtzee or a trip to the thrift store to find a bargain. Birthdays for the family will not be the same, as she was always sure to call and wish everyone in the family a happy birthday on their special days.

Her family includes her five children and their spouses, Dana and Roger Taft of Albia, Terry and Stacy Green of Oskaloosa, Tania and Todd Lappin of Oskaloosa, DeeDee and Bill Veldhuizen of Oskaloosa, and Derek and Kimberly Meinders of Scottsdale, Arizona; sixteen grandchildren, Erica Taft, Tyler (Kassi) Taft, Cody Green, Collin (Jarrah) Green, Andrew Green, Cameron Green, Kyle (Tanya) Mitterer, Colton Mitterer, Alex Mitterer, Andrea Mitterer (Stephen), Mandy Veldhuizen, Bret Hoover, Emily (Nick) Thomas, Lindsey Veldhuizen, Carson Meinders, and Kenzie Meinders; six great grandchildren, Bowen, Clay, Journee, Daisy, Pierce, and Tripp; three sisters, Betty Ann Mickles of Beacon, Janet Teggatz of Oskaloosa, and Marcia (Bill) Harris of Bettendorf; a sister in law, Connie Phillips of Ottumwa; and close family friend, John Mitterer.

Arlene was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, Janice Phillips (infant), Joyce Plate, and Sharon Jameson; three brothers, Irvin Phillips, Richard Phillips, and Tony Phillips.

A memorial service will be held Friday, May 30, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel with Bill Harris officiating. As was Arlene’s wish her body has been cremated. The family will be at the funeral chapel from 1 p.m. until service time at 2 p.m. on Friday afternoon to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to the Ecumenical Cupboard in Oskaloosa.