Obituary of Arlene Marie Gerard

Arlene M. Gerard, age 70 of North Liberty, died Thursday, April 6, 2023, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. A time for family and friends to gather to remember Arlene and to support those who loved her will be held from 4 to 7 pm Friday, April 14, 2023, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. Private family graveside services will be held at the Oxford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Iowa City Hospice. Arlene Marie Kahler was born April 8, 1952, in Iowa City, the daughter of John Kahler Sr. and Bernice (Reynolds) Kahler. She attended schools in the Clear-Creek School district graduating from Clear-Creek High School with the class of 1970. On June 23,1973, she married John Michael Gerard in Iowa City. For many years she operated a daycare for many families in the area out of her home, and following retirement from this she worked for NCS/Pearson. Arlene enjoyed a good life, she loved her family, loved the many children that she was blessed to care for in her home and she enjoyed boating, camping, traveling and loved the ocean. She was also one of the longest volunteers for the North Liberty Library. Arlene grew up on NASCAR and it never left her blood, she was very good at cake decorating and her crafts. She took pride in the care of her gardens, and there wasn’t an animal out there that she didn’t love, especially puppies. She was also a good talker and always up for a chat! Her family includes her husband of almost 50 years, John; their son, Matt and his wife, Heather; their children (Arlene’s grandchildren and pride) Matthew, Jacob, Ben, and Rachael; son-in-law, Leo Buzalsky; Her sister Naomi Nearad and sisters-in-laws, Terri Beranek (Ed), Kay Tupper (Don) and Linda Parker and brother-in-law Bob Gerard. Arlene was preceded in death by her parents, daughter, Amy J. Buzalsky; siblings, John Kahler Jr., Janet Prymek and Sylvia Adams; and sister and brother-in-laws, Tiny Kinzenbaw, Ronnie Gerard, Mike Parker, Paul Adams, Joe Prymek, Dick Nearad.