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Arlene Beiderbecke

Arlene Beiderbecke

  • January 3, 1924 - January 23, 2012
  • Moline, Illinois
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Esterdahl Mortuary

6601 38th Ave.
Moline, IL 61265
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Tel. (309) 736-7100
Fax. (309) 736-7220
esterdahl@esterdahl.com

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Memories & Candles

“Chris, Liz & family, I loved your mother. She was always kind and smiling. She was always so gracious and nice. When I would see her, I could not...Read More » ”
1 of 11 | Posted by: Julie - Moline, IL

“Sorry to hear of Arlene's passing, we used to be neighbors on 54th St. Bless her family in this difficult time. ”
2 of 11 | Posted by: Deb Minch

“Dear Chris and family, I'm so sorry to read of your Mother's passing. Please know that my thoughts and prayers go with you during this difficult...Read More » ”
3 of 11 | Posted by: Peggy Barnard - Bettendorf, IA

“Chris, I'm so sorry to hear of your mom's passing. What a gracious woman. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. ”
4 of 11 | Posted by: Nancy DeCosta - Davenport, IA

“To Cris and all of his family; I am sorry for your loss; I believe your mom left a great legacy, 'judging' from knowing you. Judi K ”
5 of 11 | Posted by: Judi Klinsky - Onalaska, WI

“I never met your Mom, Chris, but she really sounds like a neat lady. Keeping you and yours in my thoughts and prayers; hang in there! Bill ”
6 of 11 | Posted by: Bill Thinnes - Davenport, IA

“I am a friend of Chris's from high school and also from the out and about crowd of music lovers. My father also graduated from CV high school, and I...Read More » ”
7 of 11 | Posted by: Toni Seeburger - Rock Island, IL

“so sorry for your loss my heart goes out to you and your family i will miss her so much ”
8 of 11 | Posted by: crystal weistart - Milan, IL

“I'm so sorry to hear of Arlene's passing. She had a lovely smile and I was so happy to have met her. She was a wonderful Mother and so loved by her...Read More » ”
9 of 11 | Posted by: Gerri Bowers - Davenport, , IA

“You can only have one mother Patient kind and true; No other friend in all the world, Will be the same to you. When other friends forsake you, ...Read More » ”
10 of 11 | Posted by: Louisa Ewert - Moline, IL

“Chris, Liz, Wendell & Extended Family Members, The obituary captures Arlene's qualities so well. She was indeed a hard worker for causes she...Read More » ”
11 of 11 | Posted by: Linnea E. Thompson & Al McCaulley - IL


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Arlene Beiderbecke, 88, of Moline, IL died January 23, 2012 at Rosewood Care Center, Moline, IL.

Funeral Services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, January 28, 2012 at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., 6601 38th Avenue, Moline, IL. There will be a visitation from 2 p.m. until service time. Per her wishes, cremation rites have been accorded. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Salvation Army or Coal Valley Presbyterian Church.

Arlene was born January 3, 1924 in Moline, IL the daughter of Earl and Laura (Kropp) Sullivan. She graduated valedictorian of her high school class in Coal Valley. She was accomplished at both saxophone and piano and enjoyed music and travel. During WWII, at 18, she and a girlfriend drove to California where she found work at a SeaBee base at Port Hueneme near Malibu and met many famous stars of the day at USO dances and events. She married Dale Lees of Coal Valley in January 1945, in Moline. Lees served in the Navy and passed away in 1947 after an extended battle with Hodgkin's Disease. Arlene worked in the Deere & Co. Advertising Department in Moline beginning in 1951. There she met and married Richard Beiderbecke in 1956 and left Deere in 1958 to stay at home with her children. After several years and a variety of jobs, Arlene returned to work at the Deere Administration Center in 1970 and remained there until her retirement in 1984. Arlene was a long time supporter of Democratic politics and was the longest serving Democratic Precinct Committeeperson, holding that position for over 50 years, working on countless campaigns and elections and serving as secretary of the Rock Island County Democratic Party and the Moline Democratic Party. She was active in a Bridge Club, Kings Daughters, Questers, genealogy, and historic preservation groups and volunteered for and contributed to numerous charities. While in her mid 50s, Arlene volunteered to be a tutor and companion to at risk children in a depressed area. A middle aged woman playing one-on-one outdoor basketball with a young boy into the evening when he would otherwise be alone was likely an odd sight. But she enjoyed such things. She was loved and admired by those whose lives she touched by her kindness, generosity, selflessness, and compassion for others. She was always willing to help those down on their luck or struggling due to misfortune. She was quick to laugh and had a great appreciation for the humor to be found in everyday life. She avoided being judgmental and looked for the good in everyone. Arlene had many devoted friends to whom she was devoted in return.

She is survived by her brother, Wendell Sullivan, Moline; son, Chris Beiderbecke, Moline; grandson, James Wilson, Moline; daughter, Elizabeth Beiderbecke-Hart; granddaughters, Lauren and Olivia Hart, Springfield; brother-in-law, Jim Giacomelli; niece, Sue (Dave) DeBaene, Moline; nephew, Bob Giacomelli, Denver.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Marilyn Giacomelli.