Arlene E. Kohler (nee Heinecke), age 82, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 15, 2016 surrounded by family at the Kathy Hospice of West Bend. She was born on September 4, 1934 in Allenton, WI to Emil and Elsie (nee Zimmel) Heinecke. She married the love of her life Walter J. Kohler, on May 30, 1956 in Allenton, WI. Together they did a lot of dancing, traveling to Europe, Alaska and winters in Arizona. Arlene enjoyed her 30 years working as a CNA at the Samaritan of West Bend.
Arlene is survived by her loving husband Walter, of 60 years; children Jean (Tim) Essinger, Donald (Nancy) Kohler, Kris (Joe) Swanson; grandchildren Eric (Sara) Essinger, Jessica (Chris) Indiraraj, Aaron (Darcie) Kohler, Chad (Marie) Kohler, Elizabeth Kohler, Eric (Jill Kostac) Swanson, Heidi (fiancé Steve Meyer) Swanson; 10 great-grandchildren; sisters Lucille (Ray) Roecker, Maryann (Frank) Ewert and her in-laws Lois (Ralph) Krueger, Carol (Tom) Vogeler, Barbara (Sal) Natoli, Paulette (Bob) Griffa. She is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Arlene is preceded in death by her grandson Sean Essinger, parents, siblings Helen Rate, Ervin Heinecke, Edwin Heinecke, Harry Heinecke, Lester Heinecke, Robert Heinecke Adeline Kempken, Bernice Schmidt, Merlin Heinecke (POW/MIA Korea), brother-in-law Eugene (Caroline) Kohler.
A Funeral Service will be at 1:00PM on Saturday, October 22, 2016 at St John’s Lutheran Church (809 S. 6th Ave. West Bend, WI 53095) with Pastor David Kellerman presiding. Visitation will be AT CHURCH from 10:00AM until 12:45PM. Interment will follow at Washington County Memorial Park.
A special thank you to the nurses in the ICU at Hartford Hospital and at The Kathy Hospice of West Bend.