April 24, 1914 – January 9, 2021

Long-time Chandler resident Lecil Irene (Smith) Arends peacefully passed away January 9, 2021, at the age of 106 years, 8 months, and 16 days.

Services were held Thursday, January 14, at 1 p.m. at the Benson Funeral Home in Worthington, with interment following at the Hilltop Cemetery in Edgerton.

Lecil was born to Peter and Rosa Noyes Smith on the family farm near Wilmont, Minnesota, on April 24, 1914.

Lecil and John (Jack) Arends were married February 25, 1939. Jack died in October 1971. Lecil was also preceded in death by her sons John (and wife Marge) and Jim (and wife Kitty); six siblings; and brother- and sister-in-law.

Besides raising her eight children, caring for her invalid mother-in-law for many years, helping Jack on the farm, and tending a big garden, Lecil worked at Campbell Soup Co. in Worthington. She also managed to find time to travel the world, including trips to Europe and the Middle East. Lecil was a resident of Ecumen Meadows of Worthington for several years; her family is grateful for the loving and tender care she received there.

She is survived by children Bill (Rose) Arends of Minneapolis, Minn., Joyce (Bruce) Hanson of Waterbury, Conn., Linda (Larry) Hill of Independence, Mo., Sandra (Bill) Caron of Denver, Colo., Tom (Diane) Arends of Austin, Minn., and Cheryl Wahbah of New Hope, Minn.; 19 grandchildren and numerous great- and great-great-grandchildren; all of whom she loved dearly.