Cover photo for Arlene L. (Marble)  Rabb's Obituary
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1932 Arlene 2022

Arlene L. (Marble) Rabb

May 19, 1932 — September 28, 2022

Portage, Michigan

Was called home to the Lord unexpectedly at Bronson Methodist Hospital on September 28, 2022. Arlene Rabb, age 90, was born on May 19, 1932, in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Harry and Jennie (Shugars) Marble. She graduated from Comstock High School in 1951. Arlene met a young Army soldier prior to his deployment to Korea and the soldier, Steve “Pete” Rabb, was the love of her life. Pete and Arlene were married on April 23, 1951, while he was home on military leave.

Arlene worked as a clerical secretary for over 30 years for Clausing Industrial, where she was well known as “mom” and “A Rabb”, retiring in 1994. Following retirement, Arlene and Pete resided in Sebring, FL during the winter months.

Arlene was a former member of the Hungarian Reformed Church, where Pete and she were very active. She served as the recording secretary, a Sunday School Teacher, and she was famous as the BINGO caller. They then attended Pathfinder Church in Portage. She was famous for her Christmas tradition of baking her “Hungarian Kalasz” and many delicious pastries and cookies along with her cabbage rolls. She enjoyed crocheting and sewing and was an excellent seamstress. Her family brought her the greatest joy of her life, especially watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren in their activities.

Unfortunately, Arlene’s life changed significantly after a fall at the age of 69, she broke her back, and it affected her quality of life. She had also battled dementia for the past 7 years, which forced her to move into assisted living at Fountain View in Portage.

She will be greatly missed by all her family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Pete, her parents, her granddaughter Karri Nitz, and her sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy (Joe) Reynolds. Surviving are her daughters: Kathie Nitz and Karen (James) Douglass; her grandchildren: Kristine Biddle, James (Julie) Douglass, Angela (Vincent) Blank; 5 great-grandchildren: Ian, Madison, Macy, Calla and Lily; former son-in-law Kirk Nitz; her brothers: Norman (Sally) Marble and Larry (Debbie) Marble; and many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 4:00 PM on Sunday, October 2nd at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Location, 411 E. Centre Avenue. A funeral service to celebrate Arlene's life will be held at 12:00 PM Monday, October 3rd at Pathfinder Church (8740 S. Westnedge Avenue) with Brother Don Wolfgang officiating. The family will greet friends at the church from 11:00 AM-12:00 PM, prior to the service.  Immediately following the service there will be a time of food and fellowship in the church hall. Graveside services will follow the luncheon at 2:00 PM in Genessee Prairie Cemetery. Memorials in Arlene's memory may be directed to Pathfinder Church or the Alzheimer’s Association. Please visit Arlene’s memory page to sign her guestbook or share a memory at www.langelands.com

To order memorial trees in memory of Arlene L. (Marble) Rabb, please visit our tree store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Monday, October 3, 2022

11:00am - 12:00 pm (Eastern time)

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Funeral Service

Monday, October 3, 2022

Starts at 12:00 pm (Eastern time)

Pathfinder Church (S. Westnedge Avenue))

8740 South Westnedge Avenue, Portage, MI 49002

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Graveside

Monday, October 3, 2022

2:00 - 2:30 pm (Eastern time)

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