Eileen Rae Arthur, 59, of Oelwein died Saturday, October 20, 2012. Visitation will be from 4-7 PM on Wednesday, October 24 at the Geilenfeld Funeral Home in Oelwein.  Funeral services will be held at 10:30AM on Thursday, October 25, 2012 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Maynard with Pastor Ian Wolfe officiating.  Inurnment will be in Long Grove Cemetery at Maynard.

Eileen was born on June 22, 1953 in Oelwein, Iowa the daughter of Earl and Donna Arthur. She grew up in the area and graduated from West Central High School in 1971.  Eileen worked for Donaldson for twenty-three years until they closed their plant in Oelwein, she was presently working for Pries Enterprise in Independence, Iowa. Eileen was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Maynard.

Eileen was a wonderful cook and loved baking for all her family and friends, especially on Holidays. When you didn’t find Eileen in the kitchen she enjoyed shopping, gardening, watching football and basketball, attending her nieces and nephews activities, or helping Myron show his cattle. Eileen shared her time and many talents with everyone she knew and cared for.  Eileen loved her family and the time she could spend with them, especially her granddaughters Mykah and Afton. Eileen will be dearly missed by all who knew and continue to love her.     

Eileen is survived by her son Dave Wilhelmi (fiancé, Traci) of Eleva, Wisconsin; her grandchildren Mykah and Afton Wilhelmi; her special friend of over twenty years, Jim Bentley of Oelwein; her siblings: Lois (Bob) Eggerth of Swea City, Iowa, Betty (Ernie) Cox of Prescott, Arizona, Joyce Geistkemper of Fayette, Iowa, Vern (Jo) Arthur of Waverly, Iowa, Rodney (Becky) Arthur of Loveland, Colorado, Myron (Jan) Arthur of Maynard, Iowa, Jerry (Florida) Arthur of Norwalk, Iowa and Eleanor Miner-Hageman (Jim Hageman) of Calmar, Iowa; her uncle Ed Meyer of Oelwein and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Eileen was preceded in death by her daughter Marcia Wilhelmi (1991); her brothers: Gene Arthur (2008) and Bernard Arthur (1941); her brothers-in-law: Jim Geistkemper (1998) and Brooks Miner (1995) and her parents Earl (1991) and Donna (1988).