February 23, 1933 – February 11, 2026
Mona Arends, 92, passed away peacefully on February 11, 2026, just shy of her 93rd birthday.
Mona Jean was born on February 23, 1933, at the family home in Alta, Iowa, and grew up in Storm Lake. A proud Storm Lake Tornado, she graduated with the Class of 1951. She shared her childhood with her younger brother, Terry, and carried the small-town values of faithfulness and sense of community with her throughout her life.
Mona met her future husband, Randy Arends, while attending the wedding of mutual friends—an occasion that marked the beginning of their own lives together as a couple. They were united in marriage on July 25, 1954, in Storm Lake at St. Mark Lutheran Church.
Following their marriage, Mona worked in an insurance office and The Woman’s Shoppe in Storm Lake. They raised Ranae in Rolfe, Dumont, and Titonka while Randy coached and taught in those communities. In 1963, the couple moved to Rockwell where Jodi and Joni were born unexpectedly during a blizzard. Randy continued his career as a teacher and coach of the Rockwell -Swaledale Rebels. Mona became secretary to the principal, while supporting students in that role until 1985. She then joined Stadheim Jewelers, where her friendly and outgoing personality and gift for conversation made her a natural fit. She remained there until her retirement in 2011 at age 78. She said even at age 92, if she could still be working, she would be!!
Mona loved people—simply and genuinely. She never met a stranger and treasured time spent visiting with family and friends. In Rockwell, she was well known for gathering over coffee and donuts, sharing stories and laughter. Her soprano voice was a blessing to many, and she spent years singing in the church choir.
A devoted and longtime member of St. Peter Lutheran Church, she served as a member of Mary’s Circle and on kitchen committees. Mona’s faith was the steady foundation of her life. She lived it daily through generosity and steadfast love for those around her.
For over 30 years, Mona was a faithful season ticket holder at Kinnick Stadium, cheering on her beloved Iowa Hawkeyes with enthusiasm and loyalty, a tradition started with Randy who was an alumnus. Game days were sacred, and her Hawkeye pride was unwavering, she would’ve walked to Iowa City to attend games if she had to, calling Iowa City “God’s Country”. She and Randy attended several bowl games. When she could no longer attend games, the U of I ticket office called her personally, wondering why she hadn’t renewed for the season.
She was lovingly known as “Grandmama In A Box” to her grandchildren, thanks to the carefully packed gift boxes that reliably arrived just before birthdays and Christmas. She delighted in being their Grandmama and especially treasured summertime visits when the house was full and time together was always treasured and precious.
If Mona’s life could be summed up in three words, they would be: Faith, Family, Hawkeyes.
She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who had the joy of knowing her, including her daughters, Ranae Arends of Pensacola, FL and Jodi (Christopher) Suntken, Mason City; grandchildren, Valerie (John) Moody and their children, Kelly, Peyton, and Jacoby; Pablo (Janette) Nava and their children, Kelsey, Brooklynn, Olivia and Gabriella; Sasha (Devan) Register; Kevin Alvin; Bennett Suntken and Jace Suntken; sisters in law, Colleen (Lorne) Miller and Connie Fagerholm; nieces and nephews, Todd Miller, Kristen Capeluto, Rick Brauer, Becki Brandt, Todd Fagerholm, Dori Martinson, Tad Fagerholm, Cory Fagerholm and their families; and her Goddaughter, Loree Zwemke.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Dorothy (Zwemke) Fagerholm; husband, Randy Arends; daughter in infancy, Joni Arends; brother, Terry Fagerholm; son in law, George Nava; and sister and brother in law, Leah and Richard “Dick” Brauer.
A funeral service will be held 11:00 am Friday, February 20, 2026 at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 502 2nd St S., Rockwell. Burial will follow in the Rockwell Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Thursday evening, February 19, from 5 pm until 7 pm at Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 3rd St NE., Mason City.
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