Marlene M. Kohlmeyer

Marlene Marie Kohlmeyer (Arnold) passed away on July 6th surrounded by love and her family on her 57th Wedding Anniversary to her husband Cliff Kohlmeyer whom she is preceded in death by. He was ringing the bell and calling her home. She was adored, loved and respected by all who knew her with many family and friends.

She is survived by her 2 children, Rick Kohlmeyer (Janet) and Dawn Testin (John), daughter-in-laws Liz Kohlmeyer and Linda Miller, 7 grandchildren and their spouses, 20 great grandchildren (her pride and joy) as well as nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

She was greeted in heaven by her husband (Cliff Kohlmeyer), mother (Margaret Fischer), father (John Arnold), step-father (George Fischer), brothers and sister-in-laws (Jerry (Pat) Arnold & Everett (Bunny) Arnold), her boys (Wayne and Mark Kohlmeyer), and her grandchildren (Sean and Wendy Kohlmeyer).

She was born on Nov 19th,1934 and raised in Wisconsin Rapids by her parents, Margaret Fischer (George) and John Arnold. Marlene was the baby of the family having two older brothers, Jerry and Everett Arnold. The family was very close-knit.

As a child she attended SS Peter and Paul School and later graduated from Lincoln High School in 1952. She was very smart, thriving at school.

Being ahead of her time, she was an independent career woman beginning her journey at Comptometer School in Green Bay in 1953 learning payroll and accounting. After graduating she found jobs at Jaeger Bakery, Borden Company, Dairy Lane Dairy, Marine National Bank, A & P and eventually retired from Heritage Printing where she worked as an office manager. She took pride in her jobs and was an early adapter of the computer, long before it was a staple in everyday life.

At Dairy Lane, she met the love of her life, Cliff, who brought with him 4 bonus children. She was his second chance at love, marrying on July 6th, 1968. They made a beautiful life together in Wauwatosa, WI. Their home was always open to friends & family and was filled with love, laughter and good times. When they could no longer live in their home, they moved to Forest Ridge Senior Apartments in Hales Corners, WI. After Cliff passed, Marlene moved to New Perspectives Senior Living in Sun Prairie, WI to be closer to some of her family.

Marlene loved books, coffee, games shows (Jeopardy!), whiskey sour Old Fashioneds, history, chocolate chip ice cream, cardinals, loons and owls, antiques and collectibles, bells, playing cards, gambling (especially slots), simplicity, spending time with family and friends, being a caretaker, and keeping an immaculate house.

She also made the best mac n’ cheese, French toast, and deep-fried crappies on the planet. Her generous spirit, kind heart, positive outlook, wit and humor, boundless love and ability to live life to its fullest will be so missed.

We hope you’ll join us in celebrating her beautiful life and soul on Saturday, August 23rd at Krause Funeral Home, 12401 W. National Avenue, New Berlin, WI 53151, with visitation from 11:00 AM to 11:45 AM followed by a celebration of life at 12:00 PM. Lunch and Old Fashioneds to follow.

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