Jack Howard Arter

Jack H. Arter, 78, passed away on Wednesday, December 25, 2019, at his home. He was born on December 13, 1941, in Milwaukee, the son of James and Lorraine (Toepfer) Arter. He grew up in Milwaukee, with his brother, Jim. He graduated from Washington High School in 1960 and attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison, graduating with a BSEE Degree in 1964. He spent his career working for the Wisconsin Michigan/Wisconsin Electric Power Company, retiring in 2007 after 43 years. Jack was united in marriage to Linda on February 14, 1985, in Appleton and they were fortunate to enjoy a closely blended family of 5 children. He was a member of First Congregational United Church of Christ, Appleton. He loved to fish and crafted several decorative fishing poles. He was an avid reader, an excellent chef, and loved to plan itineraries for family trips. He and Linda enjoyed traveling to Asia, Italy, Napa, Hawaii, and Alaska as well as wintering in Florida. They also enjoyed their favorite place on earth, Disney World, especially with kids and grandkids. The extended family enjoyed many annual vacations to Boot Lake for fishing, boating, bingo playing, rotating meals and many happy hours. Jack loved to engineer ingenious solutions in the home and was truly a “jack” of all trades.

Jack is survived by: his loving wife of almost 35 years, Linda (Jacquot); his brother James (Mary Ann), sister-in-law Jo Helms; 3 children: Deborah Arter (Jeff Marcus), Michael Arter (Howie), and Todd Arter (Tammy); 2 step-children: Kerry (Dennis) Bielke and James (Lisa) Gresens; 13 grandchildren: Aaron, Brandon, Ariel (Mateo), Jessica, Jake, Daniel (Amanda), Kristina, Jonathan, Brielle, Jacob (Kayla), Marissa (Zak), Riley and Bailey; 6 great-grandchildren: Paul, Abigail, Evelyn, Diana, Oliver and Lily, with two more great- granddaughters due in January; nephew, James (Julie) and nieces, Renee and Paula (Kurt). He will be greatly missed by his beloved dog, Savvy. Jack was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws, John and Barb Jacquot and his brother-in-law, Barry Helms.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 am, on Saturday, January 4, 2020, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 724 East South River Street, Appleton. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, on Friday, January 3, 2020, at the Wichmann Funeral Home, 537 N. Superior St., Appleton, and again on Saturday at the church from 10:00 am until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are appreciated to the Fox Valley Humane Society or ThedaCare at Home Hospice.

We are thankful for the love, encouragement, and support of numerous special friends and family through this difficult journey. There are no words to express how appreciative we are for all of the thoughts, prayers, and help that people have offered.

The family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Yao and staff at ThedaCare Cancer Center and ThedaCare at Home Hospice who made it possible for Jack to be able to stay at home until his sunset.

My dearest Jack, little did we know when we danced to “Sail Away” by the Oak Ridge Boys the night we met at Slim Otto’s what a wonderful journey we would take. You made my life so much better by being in it. My heart is so empty. I will miss you more than I can say. Love, Linda

Wishing you were still here, sitting in your easy chair, iPad in hand, watching the birds feeding, just a phone call away. It just seems impossible that you are gone. “Our death is not an end if we can live on in our children and younger generation. For they are us, our bodies are only wilted leaves on the tree of life” -Albert Einstein. With Love, Deb, Michael and Todd

To my Vati~ How do you put a lifetime of appreciation into a few sentences that won’t even come close to telling you the gratefulness and love that I have for you. Thank you for loving mom and helping make a blended family meld together into the loving entity it is today. You will be missed in so many ways, but I am so happy that you are at peace and done fighting. You were so brave and strong without complaining. I’m in awe. Love always, Kerry

Thank you for all the wonderful memories throughout the years. You have been a wonderful father and mentor and we will be forever grateful for having you in our lives. Go in peace and enjoy your endless days of fishing on Boot Lake. Until we see you again, Love Jim and Lisa

To Grandpa – I’m so thankful to have had you in my life for the past 27 years. Your witty humor and wise words were always something I looked forward to hearing. I have many fond memories of building blocks, playing princess games, and riding the “crazy” rides at Disney with you, (even though you had to lie to me to get me to ride it). These are memories I’ll hold near and dear to my heart. I hope you are relaxed and catching some big muskies, up there. All my love – Ariel

My beloved Grampa, Thank you for blessing us with so many unforgettable memories. I will forever hold close to my heart the beautiful times we shared together in Disney World, your Florida house, The Birches, on Martini Time and Pumpkin, and you in your very own reserved chair at family events holding a beverage in your hand, cracking jokes, and laughing your infamous laugh. The memories we have together will be treasured, laughed about, and never forgotten. May you be eternally pain free in the arms of God. Rest In Peace, Our beautiful Christmas Angel. I love you always, Marissa