Arlene May Rekow

Arlene May Casper Rekow was born on a cold winter morning, January 27, 1939 in Howe, Idaho to Clarence and Delilah Casper. Later that year, due to her father’s poor health, the family moved to Emmett where they lived in a house on Johns Avenue. Clarence passed away two years later in 1941 when Arlene was just 2 years old. Her school years were spent attending Wardwell Elementary and Parkview Junior High in Emmett, which she walked to every day with her sisters. In her youth she loved attending Primary and Mutual activities of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), of which she was a devout member her entire life. Arlene graduated from Emmett High School in 1957, where she participated in choir and excelled in shorthand and bookkeeping.

After high school she began working at Rekow Implement as a bookkeeper, where she captured the heart of one of its owners, Donald Merl Rekow. Even though there was an 18-year age gap between them, her beauty and loving nature and his patient ways and wonderful sense of humor led them to fall in love. They were married on November 23, 1957 by their LDS bishop in Emmett. Immediately after marrying, they moved to a house on Idaho Boulevard that would remain Arlene’s home for the rest of her life. Later, she and Don were sealed in the Logan Temple on December 3, 1962.

Over the next 11 years, Arlene and Don would welcome three sons and two daughters to their family, where she poured herself into the work of tenderly caring for her husband and children. She supported Don in his work as Gem County Sheriff from 1964 to 1972 and in his other efforts with the community, including his service in the Lions Club and as county commissioner. Arlene made a career of selling Avon for 15 years. She also worked for Weight Watchers, and later, after the death of her beloved husband in 1993, began working for Dr. Barrie Smith as his bookkeeper. She held that position for over 22 years before retiring in 2016.

Arlene was entirely devoted to her family, to serving others, and to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She served in callings for the LDS Church as a ward missionary, nursery leader, Primary teacher, and Cub Scout leader. She also attended the Boise Temple regularly up until her health no longer permitted it. Arlene loved music and enjoyed singing and writing poetry. She competed in the Mrs. Idaho America pageant, where she shared some of her poetry in competition. She could often be found administering to others’ needs, including caring for her elderly mother for several years and visiting regularly at nursing homes. She was a woman of great faith and believed in the power of prayer. She emulated charity in everything she did and served others tirelessly. Arlene was extremely generous, always willing to give anything she had and constantly worrying about the welfare of others. Her beautiful smile and loving nature were infectious — everyone who knew her was left better off for having her in their life. It was said of her that she was sweet in two ways: she had a very sweet disposition and she loved eating sweets!

Arlene entered into rest at her home in Emmett after a long decline in health on August 4, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. She is survived by her children, Debra Fewkes (Bob), Fruitland; Don-Alan Rekow (Rosa), Emmett; Diane Smith (Ken), Boise; Dan Rekow (Suzanne), Spanish Fork, Utah; Darin Rekow (Missy), Santaquin, Utah; sister Jeanette Hoffman of Eagle; brother John Koskey of Emmett; 24 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren (and counting); and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Merl Rekow; mother, Delilah Jackson Casper; father, Clarence Durbin Casper; sisters, Doris Limbaugh, Gladys Ingram, and Wanda (Toni) Thornton; granddaughters, Lailla and Elizabeth Rekow; and great-granddaughter, Gwendolyn Hayes.

Visitors may pay their respects at a viewing at the Potter Funeral Chapel, 228 East Main St., Emmett, on Friday, August 16, 2024 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 11:00 AM., at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 980 West Central Road, Emmett. A viewing will be held just prior to the funeral at 10:00 AM. Interment will be at the Emmett Cemetery, Emmett, Idaho.

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