Obituary of Arlene M. Neuzil

Arlene M. (Stika) Neuzil, 78, of Iowa City, passed away on Wednesday, May 7, 2014, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, May 12, 2014, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Iowa City, with burial to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. Family members will be at the church at 9 a.m., to greet those who cared for Arlene. In lieu of memorial donations, her family asks that you consider sending plants, cacti, rocks or trees in memory of Arlene's love of the outdoors and gardening. These will then be shared in the community following the services. Online condolences may be sent to her family @ www.gayandciha.com. Arlene was born July 22, 1935, in Iowa City, the daughter of John and Alma (Unash) Stika. Arlene married Ralph Neuzil, August 4, 1954, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. Their six children are Wayne Neuzil, Nancy (Randy) Oatney of Woodburn, Oregon, Susie Neuzil, Gary (Terri) Neuzil, John Neuzil, and Terrence (Amy) Neuzil. Ralph and Arlene also have five grandchildren; Danielle, Matt (Greta), Nicole, Mike (Frances), and John (Chelsea), and three great-grandchildren; Autumn, Patience, and Shossana. Other family include her brother, Robert (Edyie) Stika, her sister, Doris (Glenn) Havel, and her sister-in-law, Darlene (Neuzil) (Bill) Van Kirk of Marshalltown, along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Arlene was a member of the National Catholic Society of Foresters Women's Club for more than 50 years, a Woman of the Moose, and in 2011, she and Ralph were inducted into the Johnson County Democratic Party Hall of Fame. She had a love of plants, especially geraniums and cacti. She collected rocks from around the county and the world, and maintained her rock garden. She enjoyed traveling, fishing, jewelry, the casino, lottery, canaries, and some good old Bohemian polka music. Arlene's family meant everything to her, and she truly was the best Mom and Grandma in the world. She is now in Heaven with Ralph, the love of her life. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Arlene's family and her services.