Arlen P. O'Tool

   Arlen Peter, son of Wilmer and Rosina (Reising) O’Tool was born May 12, 1939 in Carroll, Iowa.  He attended and graduated from Kuemper Catholic High School in 1957.  Arlen was drafted into the United States Army in 1962 and honorably discharged in 1963.

   On November 20, 1964 Arlen was united in marriage with Pamela Murphy. From this union eight children were born. He worked as a heavy equipment operator all of his life and also drove truck for many years.  Arlen was united in marriage with Barbara Olesen in 1992.   He retired in 2005 but continued to stay active.

   Arlen was a member of the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Bayard, The Lion’s Club and the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 234 AFL-CIO. He enjoyed playing cards, the harmonica, listening to Rush Limbaugh and having his adult beverage in the evening.  In his later years, he enjoyed painting though he would never admit it and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

   In April of 2015 Arlen became a resident of Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids.  He died there on January 19, 2016 at the age of 76 years, 8 months and 7 days.

   Preceding him in death are his parents, wife Barbara O’Tool in 2010, son Ryan in 2006 and brothers Daryl O’Tool and Stan O’Tool.

   Arlen is survived by his children Faith (José) Laboy of Guthrie Center, Becky (Tim) Bianchi of Mitchellville, Patrick O’Tool of Carroll, April (Mark) Tigges of De Soto, Wil (Amy) O’Tool of Indianola, Clancy (Becky) O’Tool of Lake City, Casey (Jennifer) O’Tool of Des Moines, JoDean (Terry) Faga of GA, Laurie (Lee) Christianson of SD, Billy (Mel) Olesen of Ogden, Bobbe (Don) Olesen of KS and Donnie (Norma) Olesen of Bayard; 22 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; brothers Richard O’Tool of Carroll, Joe (Jolene) O’Tool of IL, Ralph (Janie) O’Tool of Malvern, Frank (Maggie) O’Tool of Carroll, Jim O’Tool of Carroll and Dan (Merlyn) O’Tool of TX; sisters Marva Louis of CO, Clara Fiebelkorn of Carroll, Jeanette (Fran) Bolster of Auburn, Mary (Tom) Scott of Ames, Barbara (Marv) Karstens of TX, Elizabeth (Warren) O’Tool of Virgin Islands and Jane Anne (Larry) Podewils of Carnavon; brother-in-law Chet (Sandy) Vaughan of Red Oak; sister-in-law LuAnn Keenan of Onawa; nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Congregational Music

“Be Not Afraid”     “On Eagle’s Wings”

“One Bread, One Body”     “How Great Thou Art”

Kim Betts, Cantor

Mary Jane Carothers, Accompanist

Patrick O’Tool     Wil O’Tool     Clancy O’Tool 

Casey O’Tool     Billy Olesen     Bobbe Olesen

Arlen’s Brothers & Grandchildren