Arlene Kaspik
June 29, 1952 - November 29, 2024
With deep sadness, we want everyone to know that Arlene M. Kaspik died from injuries in a car accident near her home on Friday November 29, 2024. Please keep Kate Reed in your prayers at this time.
Arlene was a wonderful woman and beloved wife to Kate. Arlene had a great sense of humor, loved square dancing, & was a caller for many years. Her beautiful voice made singing calls even more special. We will all miss her.
Rob Sierzega
Tributes
(If you have photos of Arlene (& friends!) or stories you’d like to share, please send them to Info.ChiTownSquares@gmail.com. Arlene’s obituary from the Chicago Tribune is here.)
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My husband Bud and I took classes a few years ago, and we had Arlene as our mentor/teacher. She was wonderful, friendly and very patient. We are so sorry for her loss and will send our love and prayers to Kate and all of the Chi-Town Squares participants.
We hope to be back soon.
Kim and Bud Young
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Arlene Kaspik loved Square Dancing. She loved sharing square dancing with others. And if you were lucky enough to Square Dance to her calling, you loved her.
Her calling was bouyant and cheerful. Her singing voice was remarkable and she shared her love of show tunes with dancers through her singing calls. She could laugh at herself, and make you laugh too. She recently expressed how happy it made her to see that her calling brought people to the activity of square dancing. That influence continues, as those dancers brought more people to try out the activity and become dancers themselves.
Glenview Squares was fortunate that Arlene was available to teach our square dance lessons beginning in 2014 when we were shifting our lesson format to a multi-start date program using a shortened call list (Club 50). Arlene embraced the Club 50 lesson plans and helped create a successful program for Glenview Squares, even when Club 50 wasn’t supported by the greater Square Dance Community. Without Arlene’s support for the new format, it’s possible that Glenview Squares might not have survived.
Glenview Squares is grateful to Arlene for her contribution to our new lessons format which helped us turn the tide from declining enrollment to a membership of over 100 dancers today. She also deserves the appreciation of the greater square dance community for being one of the first to successfully use the shortened call list for lessons which has led to the current SSD format of lessons which has been adopted by Caller Lab and is now being adopted by clubs across America.
We’ll miss you, Arlene.
Joy Nachtrab
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Below are some of the slides shared at the funeral reception December 9, 2024 at the Lucky Monk in South Barrington, IL.
Here are (some) of the many words of remembrance we have received through Facebook:
“It doesn’t matter where,, when we lose a family member of this awesome international square dance family it is always felt across the world. Arlene, one of the nicest and freindliest family member of our extened family. I will always remember her smile and her laughter. If we could all just smile and laugh as she did the world would be a far better place...”
“I haven’t danced with Chi town since I moved to Michigan in 2020. I believe Arlene was the first person I met when I started dancing. I am so sorry for your loss Kate. Arlene will be missed by the whole community. Her smile was infectious and she made dancing so much fun. She will be missed.”
“It’s been years since I danced with Chi-Town Squares, but I remember her with great respect. Always welcoming and fun to dance with & to her calling. Comfort and peace to all who mourn this loss, especially Kate. May her memory be for a blessing.”
“I’m so sad to hear this. Arlene was a wonderful caller and supportive teacher to new dancers. I will remember her fondly and send my deepest condolences to Kate and all who knew Arlene.”
“So sad to hear this. Arlene and Kate were the two that brought me into square dancing. Sending thoughts of love and peace to Kate and all her friends and family.
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“Arlene was such a doll and I loved talking books with her back in the day! And she did indeed have a lovely singing voice!! So very sad for Kate. Truly gone toooo soon !!”
“Our deepest condolences. Arlene was one of the core people for us throughout all the years we danced. She brought love, happiness, laughter and most friendship to us. Arlene welcomed us into the world of Chi Town Squares. We shared so many happy memories. Our hearts just ache, we are so sorry for your pain and loss. May her soul rest in eternal peace and may all find peace and comfort through love.”
“It was Arlene M. Kaspik’ gentle touch and patient good will that kept me learning on the dance floor in the beginning. She’s a big reason why I dance.”
“Very sad to hear this. Arlene was always cheerful, funny, very caring of calling students and a wonderful caller. This leaves a huge hole in our square dance family. Sending lots of love to Kate Reed.”
“Arlene was such a kind and generous soul, and a friend to all she met. Condolences and prayers for Kate, the love of her life, for their family, and for all among us who knew and loved her and deeply mourn her passing.”
“I haven’t danced in years, but I will always remember Arlene with great fondness and in highest esteem. She truly was a sweet and wonderful soul. Deepest condolences to Kate and all who love her!
May God grant her eternal rest. May light perpetual shine upon her. May she enter into joy with the saints and all the faithful departed.”
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
All Join Hands Foundation, Ltd. https://alljoinhands.org/donate.html
All Join Hands Foundation, Ltd, is a 501(c)3 charitable organization dedicated to supporting the funding of projects that will preserve and promote LGBTQ+ square dancing and other associated dance forms.
All Join Hands Foundation LTD
PO Box 45260
Phoenix, AZ 85064