- Date Of Birth: May 19, 1932
- Date Of Death: September 28, 2022
- State: Michigan
Was called home to the Lord unexpectedly at Bronson Methodist Hospital on September 28, 2022. Arlene Rabb, age 90, was born on May 19, 1932, in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Harry and Jennie (Shugars) Marble. She graduated from Comstock High School in 1951. Arlene met a young Army soldier prior to his deployment to Korea and the soldier, Steve “Pete” Rabb, was the love of her life. Pete and Arlene were married on April 23, 1951, while he was home on military leave.
Arlene worked as a clerical secretary for over 30 years for Clausing Industrial, where she was well known as “mom” and “A Rabb”, retiring in 1994. Following retirement, Arlene and Pete resided in Sebring, FL during the winter months.
Arlene was a former member of the Hungarian Reformed Church, where Pete and she were very active. She served as the recording secretary, a Sunday School Teacher, and she was famous as the BINGO caller. They then attended Pathfinder Church in Portage. She was famous for her Christmas tradition of baking her “Hungarian Kalasz” and many delicious pastries and cookies along with her cabbage rolls. She enjoyed crocheting and sewing and was an excellent seamstress. Her family brought her the greatest joy of her life, especially watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren in their activities.
Unfortunately, Arlene’s life changed significantly after a fall at the age of 69, she broke her back, and it affected her quality of life. She had also battled dementia for the past 7 years, which forced her to move into assisted living at Fountain View in Portage.
She will be greatly missed by all her family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Pete, her parents, her granddaughter Karri Nitz, and her sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy (Joe) Reynolds. Surviving are her daughters: Kathie Nitz and Karen (James) Douglass; her grandchildren: Kristine Biddle, James (Julie) Douglass, Angela (Vincent) Blank; 5 great-grandchildren: Ian, Madison, Macy, Calla and Lily; former son-in-law Kirk Nitz; her brothers: Norman (Sally) Marble and Larry (Debbie) Marble; and many nieces and nephews.
