Accordion artist, teacher and former President of the Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International Arlene Boddicker passed away on October 17, aged 81.

Arlene began teaching accordion in 1946, and in 1948 she and her husband, Jerry, established the Boddicker Schools of Accordion throughout Iowa. Later, the name was changed to Boddicker School of Music and offered instruction on all instruments. Teaching more than 1,600 students a year, the music schools employed more than 60 teachers and staff.

During her career, Arlene taught many accordionists, toured in both the USA and abroad with her accordion orchestras and adjudicated and presented workshops at various accordion festivals.

A memorial Mass will be held at 8 a.m. Sunday, November 21, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 120 Fifth St. SW, Cedar Rapids. A celebration of life will be held from 12:30 to 4 p.m. November 21 at the Ponderosa Ballroom in Walford.