Arlene Barnum

Arlene Joye (Richards) Barnum was born September 3, 1920, near Irwin, Iowa to George and Bertha (Will) Richards. She grew up in the Irwin area and graduated from Irwin High School. Arlene married Cloyce Shepard in July of 1940 and the couple was blessed with two children, Lyle and Sandra. The family lived in various locations in Iowa and Missouri. Arlene worked at the Barnum Produce and as an operator at the telephone company in Woodbine. On September 26, 1964, Arlene married Ed Barnum in Omaha, Nebraska. They made their home in Woodbine. Ed died on October 15, 2010.

Arlene was a member of the Missouri Valley Christian Church. She enjoyed crocheting, needlepoint, reading books, playing bingo, working word puzzles and playing cards. Ed and Arlene loved to go to Texas in the winter and travel in their motor home. They were also members of the Good Sam's Camping Club.

Arlene died February 20, 2014, at the Rose Vista Nursing Home at the age of 93 years, five months, and 17 days.

Arlene was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ed Barnum; daughter, Sandra Madison in 1990; daughter-in-law, Nadyne Shepard; grandson, Bryan Shepard; brother and sister-in-law, Norman and Helen Richards; and brother-in-law, Jack Gaskill. She is survived by her son, Lyle (Trilby) Shepard of Sunrise Beach, MO; six step children, Janice (Carl) Behm of Woodbine, IA, Edward Barnum Jr. and Patti Edwards of Scottsbluff, NE, Cathy (Rich) Cline of Dunlap, IA, Terry (Sharon) Barnum of Phoenix, AZ, Deb (Jim) De Lozier of Dunlap, IA, Marc Barnum of Grand Junction, CO; 21 grandchildren; 43 great grandchildren; 18 great-great grandchildren; sister, Opal Gaskill of Irwin, IA; and many other relatives and friends.