Peabody - Arlene Ruth Penner was born on June 21, 1931, in Hillsboro Kansas, to Peter (P.H.) Penner and Marie Schroeder.
She attended Schlehuber School, and Hillsboro High School, graduating in 1949.
She married Roy E. Unruh, on August 17, 1950, at First Mennonite Church, Hillsboro. To this union, they had three children, Cynthia, Marilyn, and Duane.
Arlene was a hard worker, starting with Hillsboro Refrigerated Locker where Roy was manager. Later she worked at Peter Pan and Hillsboro Elementary Cafeteria.
In March of 1967 Roy and Arlene purchased Seibel Sausage House in Peabody, renaming it Peabody Sausage House. They did custom slaughtering and processing for 27 years. They also started Unruh Catering, doing banquets, dinners, luncheons, and auctions. Arlene also started making a family mustard recipe, labeled Grandma’s Homestyle Mustard.
They both retired in 1994. Roy passed away in 2011.
Arlene was active in her church and community. As a young girl, she joined First Mennonite Church, Hillsboro, and after moving transferred to United Methodist Church, Peabody. She served on committees at First Mennonite Church, United Methodist Church, and Peabody Senior Center where she later served as Site Manager. She helped initiate the Peppernut Project fund raiser at First Mennonite Church to benefit the Sunday School Department and Peabody Senior Center.
Arlene’s mother passed away when she was age two. Her father, with the assistance of his sisters, continued to raise Arlene on the farm, West of Hillsboro. She spent a lot of time, playing with her Cousin Willis Penner, who lived just down the road. When at her house, they played with dolls, and when at Willis’ they played with trucks.
She helped her Dad on the farm with chores for livestock and his prize Ayrshire Cattle that he took to cattle shows, taking lunch to him in the field, and riding along taking grain to the elevator in Lehigh on the wagon and horses.
Her father later married Clara Pankratz in 1936, she was a home maker and schoolteacher, and died in 1953 in Colorado while on vacation. Then her father married Rosa Kim in 1957, a home maker and schoolteacher, and she died in 1974. Her father Pete Penner died in 1971.
Duane, married and has two children, a son Travis (Alicia), and a daughter Larissa Frisbie (Joshua). Duane later married Cyndy Stout. Great-grandchildren include Caleb, Samantha, Carson, Jayden, Taylor, Remington, Emilynn, Carter, Rhett, Cameron, and Baylor.
Arlene’s hobbies and activities included 4-H for herself, a 4-H leader for her children and grandchildren, sewing, baking, growing flowers, gardening, camping, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She collected all types of Santas, making Christmas her favorite holiday.
Arlene was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Marie Penner, stepmothers, Clara and Rosa, her husband Roy, numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Private Burial will be at Prairie Lawn Cemetery, Peabody.
Arlene’s Memorial service will be held later, to be determined. Memorials can be given to United Methodist Church, Peabody, the Peabody Senior Center, or Alzheimer/Dementia fund. Jost Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Online condolences at www.jostfuneralhome.com