Obituary of Arlene M. Armbruster-Cowell

Arlene M. Armbruster-Cowell, 88, of Iowa City, passed away Saturday, May 27, 2017.

Funeral mass will be 10 a.m., Friday, June 2nd at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Riverside.  A prayer service will begin Thursday, June 1st at 4 p.m. at the Gay & Ciha Funeral Service in Iowa City, where visitation will follow until 7 p.m.   Burial will be at Mt Olivet Cemetery.  Memorials in Arlene’s name may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church.  Recognizing Arlene’s love for flowers, floral arrangements will be welcomed at her services.

Arlene Marie Lorack was born June 21, 1928 at her family home in Riverside; daughter of Arthur G. and Cecila M. (Draker) Lorack.  Arlene graduated from St. Mary’s High in Riverside and attended Mount Saint Claire. On July 14, 1948 she was united in marriage to Bernard Armbruster; Bernard passed away in 1982.  Later in life, on June 18, 1994, Arlene married Robert Cowell; Robert passed away in 2004.  Retiring in 2015, Arlene worked 50 years as an insurance agent and office manager at Young Insurance Agency.  She had been a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

Her family includes her children, Janet Major of Iowa City, Joanne Armbruster of Iowa City, James Armbruster (Diana) of North Liberty; brother, Kenneth Lorack of Columbus Junction; sisters, Rita Lacina of West Branch and Patricia Silvestra of Jackson, CA; grandchildren, Ryan and Rachel Major, Chris Major, Danielle Walters and Joshua Armbruster and great-grandchildren, Jack, Henry and Madeline Major.

Arlene was preceded in death by her parents and her husbands.