Arlene R. Klein, age 93, of Fredonia, Wisconsin passed away Friday, July 16, 2021 at Forest Haven in Fredonia where she had been living the past few years.
She was born on February 2, 1928 in Port Washington, WI; daughter of Clarence and Adeline Turrie Gessner. Graduating from Port Washington High School, class of 1945, Arlene would move to Fredonia where she lived for over 50 years.
On August 26, 1961, Arlene married Elmer F. Klein of Fredonia at Friedens Church in Port Washington. He preceded her in death on June 25, 1998.
Over the years, Arlene worked in the office at the former Kwik Mix Company in Port Washington and drove school bus for the Northern Ozaukee School District for over 14 years. She valued the title of mom and homemaker the best.
Her faith was always very important to her. She had been a longtime member of St. Paul’s Community Church in Waubeka where she also taught Sunday school, was a secretarial volunteer and helped produce the weekly newsletter. In recent years, Arlene was active with St. John’s Lutheran Church in Fredonia.
Arlene enjoyed knitting, playing sheepshead with family and friends and babysitting the little ones.
She is survived by her children Scott (Mary) Klein of Grafton, Barbara (Jerry) Rosenthal of Fillmore, Kathi (Cal TerBeest) Borowski of Fond du Lac and David (Tammy) Klein of Elbert, CO; seven grandchildren Jason (Krista) Warner, Jodi Schmitt, Stacy (Randy) Bliss, Joshua (Mandy Pankratz) Borowski, Katlyn (Angelo) Martinez, Lauryn (Jason) Rankin, and Ashlyn (Ali) Mohammad; great-grandchildren Chloe, Aston, Brody, Ashlee, Chelsee, Kasee, Dahlia, Lyla, and Elyana; and great-great grandchildren Armahnee, Maiya, Ca’Mera, Amahree, Meela, Davonee and Novian; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Arlene is preceded in death by her husband Elmer, her brother James Gessner, and her sister Marilyn and her husband Don “Perch” Rilling.
Funeral services will be held at 11AM, Saturday July 24, 2021 at the POOLE FUNERAL HOME/Crematory, 203 N. Wisconsin Street, Port Washington, WI. Interment will take place at Random Lake Union Cemetery. Visitation will be after 10AM Saturday prior to services at the funeral home.
Memorials appreciated.