Obituary for Arlene L. Oldenburg

ARLENE L. OLDENBURG, 86, of West Salem, died peacefully on September 3, 2023 at her home surrounded by her loving family. Arlene was born August 25, 1937, in La Crosse, WI to Elmer and Ruth (Powell) Lorenz. She was baptized January 30, 1938 at Salzer Memorial Church and confirmed May 13, 1951 at Grace Ev. Lutheran Church, both in La Crosse. Arlene married Reuben W. Oldenburg on August 28, 1958 at First Ev. Lutheran Church in La Crosse. They were blessed with four children: Richard (Jenelle) Oldenburg, Patricia (Jason) Sauter, Ronald (Cynthia) Oldenburg, and Todd Oldenburg.

Arlene worked as a Secretary for CPA's: Hawkins, Ash and Baptie, and Trane Co., in La Crosse, and as a waitress at Syl's Place in Barre Mills. She joined St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church in 1958 and enjoyed singing with the St. John's Choir. Arlene served as a 4-H leader and treasurer of the 4-H Leaders Association. In 1974, the Reuben Oldenburg family was honored as FHA's Farm Family of the Year and in 1987 received the Century Farm Ownership Award at the Wisconsin State Fair. Arlene enjoyed traveling, ceramics, gardening, dancing, her home on Lake Neshonoc, her grandchildren's sports, and racing throughout the years, and being one of the "7 Golden Girls" who have been friends since High School. Arlene's greatest love and joy was spending time with her entire family and farm life with Reuben.

Survivors include her children and their spouses; grandchildren, Amber (Steve) Czys, Dustin (Niki) Oldenburg, Courtney Oldenburg, Nicole (Kyle) Holzhausen, Ashley Sauter, Michael (Brooke) Sauter, Jocelyn (Joshua) Hundt, and Toccara Crankshaw (Broderick Ryan); great-grandchildren, Zayn, Zary, and Zoey Czys, Camden Oldenburg, Ruby Holzhausen, Eleanor Sauter, Jayda and Jalyn Hundt, and Makynlee, Kaden, and Kyler Crankshaw; her twin sister, Elaine Stelloh; sister, Alice Collins; sister-in-law, Marilyn Justin; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Arlene was preceded in death by her husband, Reuben on May 6, 2016; her parents; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Edwin and Elsie Oldenburg; sister-in-law, Mary Oldenburg; stepmother-in-law, Violet Oldenburg; brothers-in-law, Richard Stelloh, Jay Justin, and Michael Collins; and nephews, Curtis Collins and David Justin.

The family would like to express their appreciation to Gundersen Health System and to their hospice staff for their exceptional care and a special thanks to Pastor Schultz for his visits and prayers. .

A Christian Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Monday, September 11, 2023, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church in Barre Mills. Rev. Andrew Schultz will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. A visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m., Sunday, and from 10:00 a.m., until the time of service, Monday, both at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church in Barre Mills. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the church.

Online condolences may be offered on this site.