Obituaries
Obituary: Longtime Volunteer Arlene R. Haney, 82
Arlene R. Haney, of Evanston and formerly Wilmette, died at 82 on March 22, 2013. She was a longtime volunteer at local hospitals and was known to her grandchildren as the "Cook of the Cowboys."
Arlene R. Haney nee Rassenfoss, age 82, of Evanston, formerly of Wilmette, died on March 22, 2013 after suffering a stroke 2 ½ years ago.
Born September 30, 1930, she was the daughter of Albert and Philomena Rassenfoss. She was the sister of Joan Finch and was preceded in death by her parents Albert and Philomena Rassenfoss and sisters Sr. Carol Rassenfoss, SP, and Mary Ann Liska.
Arlene met William V. Haney while a student at Northwestern University. Both were involved in the Sheil Chapel Catholic student ministry. Arlene married Bill on June 14, 1952. Arlene graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in Speech Pathology and earned a degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.
Arlene was the loving mother of five children: Thomas (Kathleen) of Oak Park, Michael (Susan) of Champaign, John (Jacqueline) of Palatine, Jeanne Derocher (William) of Portland, OR, and Ellen Theis (David) of Palatine. She was the BEST grandma to her eight grandchildren: Alex Haney; Erin (Nathan) Fetting; Andrew and Peter Haney; Marielle and Aidan Derocher; Martika and Jonathan Theis.
Along with her husband Bill, Arlene taught her five children to appreciate education and become lifelong learners. Their marriage, built on love and respect for each other, is a legacy they pass onto their children, their spouses and grandchildren. They shared a love for music, education, world-wide travel and giving to the underprivileged.
Arlene enjoyed nature and all things beautiful and meaningful. She found comfort in scripture, reading, bird watching and her gorgeous flower gardens. She was an avid cook and known by her children as the “Cook of the Cowboys”.
As a committed Christian, Arlene brought comfort to and shared spiritual wisdom with grieving loved ones in her role as a hospital chaplain. She served her Lord for many years which included work at Children’s Memorial Hospital, the former Grant Hospital and Evanston Hospital.
This obituary was reprinted with permission of Donnellan Family Funeral Services.
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