Arlene Mae Ready

Arlene Mae Ready, 95, of La Crescent, MN., passed away on Tuesday, April 19, 2022.

Arlene was born in Hokah, MN., on February 5, 1927 to George and Alice (Lorenz) Abnet. Always a Hokah girl at heart, she worked excessively hard throughout her life and enjoyed sharing in the kindness and love of her community.

She started out working fields behind teams of horses and became a successful businesswoman, operating Ready Bus Line, in La Crescent with her husband Joe Ready. In an unassuming way, Arlene supported and shared in the lives of many. She loved being a bus driver and was mom-like to hundreds.

Her understanding of the natural world was intimate and profound. All through her life, she had the ability to disappear into the woods or along the river. She had a dead eye with a gun, knew every good fishing hole in Pine Creek, was unafraid of rattle snakes and could throw a Fourth of July rolling pin farther than anyone in town (10 years, undefeated).

Hard work and not giving up were her mantras, having fun came in a close second. She could dance a mean polka, yodel, bowl a perfect game, loved to gamble, drove large, fast cars, travelled extensively, understood the value of a beer and got Joe to leave for months to Alaska. She had the most fun, however, with her three grandchildren, Maggie, Alice and Dayton. Smothered in pent-up grandmother love and attention, each knows how to shoot, fish, skin things, butcher chickens, trap gophers..., and behave in the wilderness.

Arlene is survived by two sons, John Ready, with two daughters, Alice Ready and Margaret Ready, and Tom Ready, with wife Kathryn Ready and son Dayton Ready.

She is also survived by her most excellent little brother, Jerry Abnet, sisters-in-law, Theo Abnet, Donna Ready and Mary Ann Ludtke and numerous nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews (her periodic fishing buddies).

Arlene was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Ready jr., both parents, brothers, George Abnet, Kenneth Abnet and sister, Marion Kappauf.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Jerry Abnet, Tina Woxland and Bonnie Bakewell for absolute love, care and concern for Arlene.

We are unable to express the depth of gratitude that we have for the staff at Springbrook Village in La Crescent. By providing a family-like environment filled with empathy and love, they created a sweet and gentle capstone to a life well lived.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Saint Peter’s School and/or Saint Peter’s School Drama Club, Hokah, MN., Crucifixion School, La. Crescent, MN., Hokah/La Crescent District 300 Foundation, La Crescent.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11am on Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at The Church of the Crucifixion in La Crescent.  Rev. John L. Evans will officiate.  Burial will follow in the Crucifixion Cemetery, La Crescent.  Friends may call on the family Tuesday evening at the church from 5 until 7pm and again at the church on Wednesday from 10am until the time of Mass.