Violet A. Underwood - Age 86

     Violet Arlene Underwood, daughter of John and Kathryn (Heckmann) Tilk, was born on March 15, 1923, in Harlan, Iowa. Arlene, as she was known to her family and friends in Iowa, graduated from Kirkman High School in Kirkman, Iowa with the class of 1941. After graduating, Arlene took some college courses in fields that interested her.

     Arlene was united in marriage to Edwin "Bud" Guss. Three children were born to this union: Richard, Judi and John. During World War II, Arlene and Bud moved to California where they worked for North American Aviation.

     Arlene was united in marriage to Roy Underwood.

     After her children were grown, Arlene worked for Rohr Aircraft Corporation, from which she retired in 1994, and moved to Mesa, Arizona. Arlene was an avid genealogist and reader and collector of a variety of "turtle" Keepsakes.

     Arlene died on Sunday, December 27, 2009, at Hospice of the Valley Friendship Village in Mesa, Arizona, having attained the age of eighty-six years, nine months, and twelve days. She is preceded in death by her parents; her son Richard; her sisters Frances and Zelma and her brother Raymond Tilk.

     She is survived by her daughter Judi and her husband Joe Stewart of Marion, North Carolina; her son John Guss of Mesa, Arizona and his beloved Dog, BJ. Three grandchildren: Michele and her husband Harold Robinson; Nicole and her husband Timothy Hollifield; and Katrina Johnson; nine great-grandchildren: Richard, Gwynn, Starr, Tayler, Cody, Haley, Kaitlin, Danielle, and Joey; one great-great-grandchild, Tye, all from North Carolina; other family members and many friends.

     Funeral Services were held on Saturday, January 9, 2010, at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan, Iowa, with Rev. Keith Pals officiating the 1:30 PM service. Interment was held at Rose Hill Cemetery in Kirkman, Iowa.