Arlene Kaspik

At Belles Run Philadelphia 2019

Arlene M Kaspik

29 Jun 1952 - 29 Nov 2024

Clubs & Associations

Chi-Town Squares
GCA

Quick Facts

Married to Kate Reed
Vice-President of GCA 2010-2012

GCA Caller School

Attended as a student 2006-2008
Coordinator 2011, 2012
Teaching Assistant 2018, 2024

Medallion Dancer

2012 | 10 Year Medallion at Dance Up A Storm

Obituary

Arlene M. Kaspik of Carpentersville, IL, passed away on November 29, 2024 at age of 72. She was raised in Calumet City, IL. She is survived by her beloved wife, Kate Reed; and her nieces, Julie Burke and Ellen Gentzel; and many in-laws, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her Father, Edward Kaspik; Mother, Martha Smolinski Kapsik; and brother, Edward Kaspik. In her first career she was a librarian and worked at different local libraries and retired as director at McHenry Public Library. Arlene in her second career was a square dance caller committed to teaching new callers and new dancers primarily with Chi-town Squares and Glenview Squares. Services will be held at St Mark’s Episcopal Church, 337 Ridge Rd., Barrington Hills, IL on Monday, December 9, 2024. Visitation will begin at 9:30 AM followed by a Rosary at 10:15 AM and Services at 10:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to All Join Hands Foundation (Square Dance Foundation) alljoinhands.org or St. Mark’s Episcopal Church st-markschurch.org. Funeral Arrangements made by Ahlgrim Family Funeral Home, Lake Zurich. 847-540-8871 or AhlgrimFFS.com^[1]

Remembrances

I first met Arlene at the GCA Caller School in 2006. She and Ross Crawshaw-Lopton were the obvious stars of the beginner class and worked together several times.

I have fond remembrances of her first and second CALLERLAB conventions. For the first one she arrived a couple of days early and one evening we invited her and Kris Jensen to have dinner with us and Jim & JoAnn Mayo. They were from New Hampshire, Jim had been the first Chairman of CALLERLAB and had attended every one. We all enjoyed the dinner and conversation and Barry & I thought nothing more of it. The next year I asked Arlene to do the Orientation Session with me and she agreed. During her part of the presentation she mentioned how in awe she had been at having dinner with us & the Mayo's. We had no idea she had felt like that -- she'd been a wonderful addition to our group.

She was a vital part of the GCA as well as Chi-Town Squares - always cheerful with a wonderful sense of humour. I'm going to miss her a lot.

— Pam Clasper

Our friend Arlene M. Kaspik died last Friday.

Her funeral will be held at 10:30am on Monday, Dec. 9th at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 337 Ridge Road, Barrington Hills, IL. Visitation at 9:30 am.

Ah, Arlene-y . I will and am missing you - I will miss your belly laugh, I will miss your stories, I will miss your insights and I will, most of all, miss your friendship. Thanks to you and Kate I met the love of my life, Jim. I am forever grateful for the time that we had together.

You were the best of people and left this world so much better than you found it.

— Paul Chalifour