Arleen Marie Kempke

Arleen Marie Kempke, age 74, passed away peacefully on July 11, 2024, following a brief illness that followed a multi-year struggle with dementia. Arleen was born on June 16, 1950, in Milwaukee to Carl and Marie (Freudensprung) Boehm. Her early childhood was spent in Milwaukee and then, the family moved to Cedarburg where Arleen finished her schooling. Arleen was the youngest of a crew of siblings which resulted in her feeling a bit like an only child. During her life, Arleen served as a childcare worker for the Menasha Schools as well as in private homes.

Arleen never met a casino she didn’t like-she loved to play bingo and enjoyed her two trips to Las Vegas to experience “The Strip.” She loved to craft and especially liked to crochet ponchos and blankets. She also liked to paint ceramic items as well as wood pieces. 

Family was the most important thing to Arleen. She loved to spoil her grandkids and great grandson. As the true matriarch of the family, everyone knew that when Arleen was in the room, she was the boss. When her children were younger, the family had horses on their property. While she had a small fear of those horses, she enjoyed sharing memories of them with her family in recent years. 

For 25 years, Arleen shared her life with Thomas “Gilley” Gillen. The two shared a bond of love that stretched through dementia to her soul.

Arleen is survived by her daughters Lisa Hildebrandt and Laura (Cory) Plaster; grandchildren: Robert Hildebrandt, Amanda (Kevin) Stewart, Alana Plaster, and Jacob Plaster and great grandson Preston Stewart. She is further survived by her brother Dave (Vicki) Boehm and many nieces and nephews. Her heart was always with Thomas “Gilley” Gillen, her best friend, and confidant-he also survives.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her many siblings.

A funeral service will take place on Tuesday July 16, 2024, at 11:00am, at Wichmann Funeral Home, Tri County Chapel, 1592 S Oneida St, Fox Crossing. Friends and family may gather at the funeral home from 10:00am until the service begins. Arleen will be laid to rest at Lake View Memorial Park, Oshkosh.

Never one to stand on formality, Arleen was a T-shirt and jeans kinda gal. With that in mind, please wear your favorite bright colored t-shirt to brighten her send-off. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your local homeless shelter in Arleen’s name.