In Memoriam: Arlene Lounds, 1930 - 1999

By Rhonda Westfall

Community members paid tribute last week to a descendant of one of the early families of Clinton County and long-time civic and social activist, Arlene Lounds, who passed away Oct. 26.

Words from the mission statement of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul to which she belonged stand as a fitting tribute to the life of the St. Johns resident.

"The Society collaborates with other people of good will in relieving need and addressing its causes, making no distinction in those served, because in them Vincentians see the face of Christ," the statement reads in part.

"Arlene lived those words," said John Thelen, a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Board of Directors who witnessed first-hand the many acts of kindness which the local lady provided to persons in need.

"As a Vincentian, Arlene saw the face of Christ in everyone she met."

The well-respected lady brought her care and concern for people into the workplace during her 18 years as a caseworker with the Department of Social Services, and later worked with former clients through the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the clothing store which she helped to organize in downtown St. Johns.

"Arlene was the main person who made it happen," Thelen says of the clothing center project which the Society took on three years ago. "She volunteered her time and worked five and six days a week to make it a success."

Her commitment to civic and social responsibility was also evident in a wide range of volunteer activities, many of which revolved around another passion - life-long learning and education.

"She brought such joy into the classroom," St. Joseph Catholic School Principal Tomi Ann Schultheiss recalls of the time which Arlene spent volunteering as an aide in the classroom of her eldest daughter, Linda Kurncz.

The opinion was embraced by Gert Smith, long-time secretary at St. Joe's.

"Arlene was a real humanitarian - just a great lady," Smith says.

Ties to one of the early family to settle Clinton County, the Lowes, helped spur an educational interest of another sort - genealogy.

"Arlene was an avid genealogist and was so very knowledgable about many different aspects of the county," recalls Janet Tiedt, chairperson of the Clinton County Historical Commission.

"She knew a lot of out-of-the-ordinary places to find genealogy records, and was always willing to share information. She made history come alive."

The former Mary Arlene Lowe is survived by her husband of 51 years, Al Lounds, who was her life-partner and help-mate. The couple worked together on the St. Vincent de Paul Clothing Center and other volunteer endeavors.

Also surviving are seven children, 29 grandchildren, and the special family of Muoi Tu, Minh (Susan) Hoac, and Chau (Tam) Pham - all of whom bear testimony via their life actions to the spirit of Arlene.