September 2, 1932 – October 26, 2025
Arlis Irene (Jahnz) Black, age 93, of Clear Lake, Iowa, passed away on Sunday October 26, 2025, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center, Mason City, Iowa.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, October 29th, 2025, from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 310 First Ave North, Clear Lake, Iowa.
A funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, October 30th, 2025, Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 310 First Ave. North, Clear Lake, Iowa; with Rev. Jesse Burns officiating. Burial will follow at the Clear Lake Cemetery.
Arlis was born on September 2, 1932, in St. James, Minnesota, the youngest of eight children born to Ed and Louise (Marlow) Jahnz. She was baptized and confirmed at Fieldon Evangelical Lutheran Church in Madelia, Minnesota, where she later married Robert (Bob) Black.
Arlis and Bob moved with their four children to a farm south of Clear Lake, Iowa, on March 1, 1962. The family became active members of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Ventura. In 1970, they moved to another farm closer to Ventura. Bob passed away in 1984, and a few years later Arlis moved to Clear Lake.
In 2021, she moved to Apple Valley Assisted Living in Clear Lake, and after suffering two falls resulting in a broken hip and shoulder, she moved to Oakwood Care Center in Clear Lake.
Throughout her life, Arlis held various jobs, including house cleaning and volunteering at The Village Store in Clear Lake. She was well known for sharing her delicious homemade buns and cinnamon rolls with family and friends. She also took pride in finding the perfect cards for birthdays and anniversaries, always remembering her loved ones. As her macular degeneration worsened, these thoughtful gestures became difficult, but her caring spirit never dimmed.
Left to cherish her memory are her children: Dennis (Koleen) Black, Thornton, Iowa; Patty (Jeff) Jensen, Alexander, Iowa; son-in-law Scott (Jeananne) Kleckner, Van Meter, Iowa; daughter-in-law Pam Black, Ventura, Iowa; and her sister Lil Bode, New Ulm, Minnesota.
Arlis is also survived by 11 grandchildren: Dean (Stefanie) Black, Thornton, IA; Shenna (Eric) Pluff, Alexander, IA; Troy Jensen, Clear Lake, IA; Kayla Jensen, Shell Rock, IA; Breanna Lenz, Cedar Falls, IA; Dana (Drew) VanderWerff, Urbandale, IA; Paige Kleckner, Port Angeles, WA; Michaela Dohlman, Mason City, IA; Megan (Brandon) Trapp, Ankeny, IA; and Robert (Ami) Black, Ventura, IA. She is also lovingly remembered by numerous great-grandchildren and many special nieces and nephews who kept in touch with her through the years.
Arlis was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bob, daughter Judy Kleckner, son Jim Black, three brothers, Alvin, Les, and Walt; three sisters, Elvera, Elta, and Mabel; and her granddaughter Tricia Jensen.
Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 310 First Ave North Clear Lake, Iowa 50428. http://www.colonialchapels.com 641-357-2193
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