Nathalie Mae Arens Persons

Nathalie M. Arens Persons, 95, passed away peacefully on October 7, 2021, at Dimensions Living, formerly Brookdale Assisted Living.  Born November 1, 1925, fittingly All Saints’ Day, she was the youngest child of Rudolph and Minnie (Baur) Trauba, Greenville.  A 1943 graduate of Appleton High School, she then attended Miss Brown’s Secretarial School, Milwaukee.  On September 14, 1946, she married Gerald Arens whom she met while in the high school band. They operated Central Delivery Service (“We deliver everything but babies”) for many years.  Jerry predeceased her on October 7, 1992.  Nathalie was then a secretary at ServiceMaster from 1968 to 1990. She married Virgil “Perk” Persons on September 27, 1997  (“Every 50 years I get married in September.”). He predeceased her on April 17,  2009.

Nathalie’s favorite place on earth was the family cottage on Lake Poygan her parents had built in 1959. She loved fishing, boating and swimming and cherished gatherings there with family and friends.  She was the quintessential hostess for multiple Christmas parties at their home, expertly organizing each while the dishwasher hummed constantly to keep up.  Jerry and Nath had lifelong friends with “The Duffys” group of American Legion Post 38 veterans.  Her ultimate sports hero was Aaron Rodgers! Above all, she had a deep, enduring Christian faith that sustained her positive outlook.

Nathalie is survived by children Thomas (Joy) Arens, Kathleen Uecker, Mary Jo (Tom) Hansel and Annette Arens (life partner Dennis “Carp” Carpenter); grandchildren Kimberlee (JJ) Eaton, Gina (Joe) Rohs, Patrick (Kelly) Arens, Corrie Budrick and Michelle (Nick) Leary; step-children Steve (Jean) Persons, Shirley (Steve) Lemke, Linda Persons, Terry Persons, Carol (Scott) Sauder, Susan Persons, Ken Persons and Sandy Schapekahm; 7 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren and many step-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.

Nathalie was also predeceased by son Timothy Arens in Vietnam (“Our greatest sorrow”), yet a proud Gold Star Mother as a result; siblings Celestine “Sally” (Lloyd) Hein, Norana (Tom) Lisi and Gerald (Leona) Trauba; son-in-law Dale Uecker and his son, Jason Uecker.  Jerry’s brothers and wives, Richard (Colleen), George (Mary), Adrian (Virginia); Perk’s sister and husband, Mary (Bob) Steudel.

The family extends heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Shanthi Joseph, AsceraCare Hospice, namely Chaplain Lissa, Mandy and especially Nurse Kayla, a true angel.  Also the facility’s entire CNA staff, as well as Missy, Christine, Leah, Linda, Mandy, Rachel, Mary and Carol who lovingly watched over Nathalie during her 9 years there.

LOVE YOU MORE, MOM!

Memorials may be made to the Old Glory Honor Flight, P.O.Box 482, Menasha, WI  54952-0482 or to the Larsen-Winchester Lions Club, P. O. Box 92, Larsen, WI  54947-0092

Visitation will take place at St. Therese Catholic Church (213 E Wisconsin Ave, Appleton) on Friday, October 15, 2021, from 12:30pm-2pm with Catholic Mass to follow. Nathalie’s service will be recorded and available for viewing on the Wichmann Funeral Home website for those unable to attend.