Arlene Ward

    ARLENE WARD – MAKING MEMORIES FOR THE WORLD AT HAND….

By Kit Zinser

Would you say the memories of a grandchild are the most poignant?  Probably so… but then you may not have met the woman named Arlene Witschi Ward.  What she accomplished as a woman, wife, mother, and grandmother is stunning in terms of energy, time, and space, and that is what makes this treatise so difficult.

The picture here says a lot. Even though it shows a very young woman, it hints at her future through her look, her smile, and the phone in her hand! Arlene Witschi (1923-1988) was born in Mansfield, Ohio, to Felix and Hulda Imhoff Witschi. She married Harry Ward, Jr. in Clayton, Missouri, on December 28, 1940. She and Harry had three children: MaryJo Holford, Suellen Goken, and Brad Ward, along with six grandchildren at the time of her passing in 1988.

As Grandson Brent recalls, she was the quintessential grandmother, albeit with a flair. (Now, my grandmother looked like Mrs. Santa Claus.) Arlene was all class.  If you were fortunate enough to be invited to one of her parties, you arrived.  

A little grandmotherly background follows: Due to Harry and Arlene's extensive travels, many of the childhood Halloween costumes came from those worldly adventures. The grandparents took each grandchild for two to three weeks to a different country on their 10th birthday. Arlene asked each child to research and give a presentation about their chosen country. Once the location was decided, each child studied the culture and customs and memorized common words in the native language. Brent hit the trifecta by choosing Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. And, perhaps to Arlene’s dismay, his favorite word was “Fahrvergnügen,” which translates to enjoying a pleasurable drive. However, when properly pronounced, it sounds like “fart fe nugen,” which of course made a ten-year-old boy laugh! The trip proceeded as planned, showing that this grandmother was creative, valued the educational aspect of travel, and cherished time with her grandchildren. Christmases were very special at the Ward household, and Arlene’s favorite holiday. She decorated each room with themed trees, fresh greenery, and delicate handmade ornaments. One grandchild's favorite was the Victorian-themed tree with a variety of handmade cross-stitch and embroidered ornaments, along with edible gingerbread men and cinnamon sticks tied in bows. On Christmas Eve, the doors opened to over 40 family members. Arlene brought out the Wedgewood china and cut crystal glasses… and the children handled the cleanup! After the dishes were cleared, presents were opened. Suellen, Arlene’s daughter, saved a small peanut butter blossom cookie in 1987 that Arlene crafted every year at Christmas. She shellacked it, placed it in a small box to commemorate the beautiful family Christmases Arlene hosted for her family… and Brent still has the treasured cookie, some 37 years later.  Memories are the linchpin of the Ward family, and Arlene was the architect of it all.

Much of Arlene’s professional life was dedicated to journalism. Her grandson, a skilled and thoughtful journalist, recalls her as an extraordinary reporter who pursued the original goal of unbiased reporting, giving equal coverage to both sides. In high school, this young man valued his grandmother’s expertise and learned from her editing approach, which involved explaining the reasons behind her suggested changes. Arlene was a natural teacher. Even while battling cancer and enduring its harsh treatments, she always found time to help her grandson become the writer he is today. She was fair and transparent in all her dealings, especially in her reporting. One notable incident had Arlene responding very strongly: “You don’t defile the office of the President under any circumstance. We have to be respectful of the person who holds the highest office in the land.”  

She worked for five newspapers: Peoria Journal Star, Bloomington Pantagraph, Washington Times Reporter, Washington Courier, and Pekin Daily Times. Her column in the PJS featured stories about her world travels, exposure to different cultures, and her unique insights that served the public well.

Arlene was the first woman elected to the Tazewell County Board, serving for 12 years. She was successful in getting the board to restrict smoking during meetings!  She was honored as 

She was named Washingtonian of the Year in 1987 and served as township clerk for 20 years. The conference room at the Washington Township Building is named after her. The Republican of the Year Award was given by the State of Illinois in 1988. The state legislature and Congress declared a moment of silence in her honor upon her passing in 1988. She and Harry were invited to many state and national events by sitting governors and presidents. She was a skilled fundraiser and advocate for candidates. Letters from President Reagan and inaugural invitations from Reagan and Nixon are treasured by the family.

When grandchildren visited for summer vacation, they were able to go with their grandmother to city council meetings to see her in action. Arlene didn’t fear technology – she often dictated her articles over the phone and then easily switched to a new electronic format, impressing her teenage grandchildren. 

Arlene was a loyal member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church and the American Legion, Post 100. Ever civic-minded, she shared information about community outcry over the destruction of the iconic “round barn” and used that to introduce her founding membership in the Washington Historical Society. Her home was part of one of the earliest Christmas Tours sponsored by the Historical Society, which continues to this day. If you don’t remember the painted fire hydrants, that was Arlene’s effort to celebrate Washington’s Sesquicentennial. She personally painted nearly a dozen of those hydrants, with Uncle Sam being her favorite.

A grandmother who was a historian, an award-winning journalist, an elected and respected official, a trailblazer for women in leadership, a gifted artist, seamstress, hostess, wife, and mother—she was also a political and community activist who shared her talents and love of life not only with her family but with the world around her. And it is safe to say, the world is a better place because of her.