Arlene Marie Oettmeier Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Our beloved Arlene M. (Harck) Oettmeier went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July 20, 2022. While saddened by the loss earlier this year of her spouse, Arthur, after 71 years of marriage, Arlene lived an extraordinary life and left a heartfelt legacy with her children. The daughter of the late Fred and Francis (Dickinson) Harck, Arlene spent her younger years in Eagle Point, Wisconsin, and later in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. When she was eight she was blessed to have Irene, an older sister, become a part of her life, and it was a relationship they nurtured throughout their lives and continues through the cousins. Attending a rural one room school house, then High School in town, Arlene studied, worked hard, and saved so she could attend Stout Institute (now University of Wisconsin-Stout). Her original intention was to become a dietician, but changed to education in Home Economics. She always joked that organic chemistry was the career changer. She met the love of her life, Arthur, whom she married in 1950, after graduating with her Bachelor’s Degree. She began her Home Economics teaching in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, and later moved with Art to Memphis, TN, Battle Creek, MI, Big Rapids, MI, Plymouth, MI and finally Bay City, MI, teaching and working in each of those locations. She taught High School, did substitute teaching, and even taught Interior Design at Delta College. Arlene was also a Fashion Sewing Contest winner and later participated in the Mrs. Michigan contest. She took first place in the lunch box category, not with something extraordinary, but with a simple sandwich lunch. Arlene’s love of sewing continued and she was an active member of the Bishop sewing group. She loved to travel and saw the world cruising to many ports on their thirteen cruise vacations. She was passionate about the Salvation Army and served decades on their board. She shared often about the Red Kettle Campaign and the time needed to count the donations. She loved to play bridge and was an active member of the Westminster Presbyterian bridge group. Speaking of church, she attended every Sunday and instilled in her kids the importance of having a church home. She planted that idea when the children were part of the Cherub Choir and continued through Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and later encouraging them to join the church and become active members. Arlene always encouraged growth and always inspired her children to follow their dreams wherever they may lead. She is survived by her children, Tim (Janice) Oettmeier, Kim (Lee) Galloway, Arthur J. Oettmeier III, and Tami (Greg) Feinauer; 7 grandchildren, Erik (Sara) Galloway, Justin (Laci) Oettmeier, Mandy (Richard) Walls, Ally Feinauer, Nick Feinauer, Cathy (Jim Massey), and Charity (Rob) Galloway-Djerf, and eight great-grandchildren, Damon, Arya, Camden, Cadence, Callen, Luke, Rachel and Jacob. Arlene was welcomed home by her beloved Arthur, her parents, and her sister, Irene, on a beautiful sunny day. Private arrangements have been entrusted to Skorupski Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 821 N. Pine Rd., between Ridge & Center. Memorial contributions may be directed to wishes of the family. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family online at www.skorupskis.com. Obituary lovingly submitted by family.

Arlene Marie Oettmeier

January 11, 1929 - July 20, 2022