Obituary of Vicki Arens

Vicki Arens, age 59, of Crofton, NE died early Thursday, June 06, 2013 at the Avera Yankton Care Center, Yankton, after a courageous battle with cancer. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Monday, June 10, 2013 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Crofton, NE with Rev. Michael Schmitz officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitations will be from 5 to 8 PM, Sunday, at St. Rose with a wake service at 7:00 PM. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. The Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, is caring for the details of the service. Vicki Marie Arens, daughter of Charles and Mariellen Maly, was born on Feb. 22, 1954 at Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, SD. Vicki grew up in Crofton, NE. She was the oldest of seven children. She attended St. Rose Elementary School and graduated from Crofton High School in 1972. She went on to attend nursing school in Norfolk, NE and graduated in 1975. Vicki moved back to Crofton where she worked as a nurse in the Dr.'s office with her uncle, Dr. Ron Maly. Throughout the years Vicki worked at various nursing homes. She married the love of her life, Bill Arens, in 1978 at St. Rose Church in Crofton, NE. As a couple they did everything together. They had two beautiful children, Benjamin "BJ" and Tracy Marie. Vicki loved gardening, animals, embroidery, and especially her grandchildren. She was a devoted, loving, caring grandmother and wife. Her grandbabies were her pride and joy. Vicki is survived by her husband of 35 years, Bill Arens of Crofton, NE; son, Ben (wife Sarah) Arens of Yankton, SD; brother, Russ (wife Jen) Maly of Crofton, NE; brother, Tim (wife Cherrie Ann) Maly of Norfolk, VA; brother, John (wife Beverly) Maly of Augusta, KS; sister, Lori (husband Gordon) Mueller of Crofton, NE; sister, Amy (husband Pete) Bramschreiber of Crofton, NE; six grandchildren: Makenzie and Cody Sassaman, Elyse Larson, Alivia Arens, Brody Mathrole, Harper Arens; and many nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Tracy Marie Arens; brother, Rick Maly; grandparents, Otto and Clara Jilg and Joseph and Teresa Maly.