Arleen Lois, née Bull, Kriesmann was called HOME to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 20, 2020. She was reunited with her husband Henry “Hank” Kriesmann, her parents Emil and Alma, née Poese, Bull, her twin brother Arlo, and her other siblings: Robert Bull, Almarie Barklage, Donna Smalley, and Cleo Wolter; and her son-in-law Jeff Spalding.
Arleen was born with her twin brother Arlo on February 20, 1930, and she was baptized into the Lord’s family on March 2, 1930. She attended Immanuel Lutheran School St. Charles and was confirmed into the Lutheran faith on April 2, 1940. In her 8th grade year she joined with eleven of her girlfriends a “Birthday Club” that is still a bond today.
Arleen graduated from St. Charles High School in 1948. She was one of the first girls to play organized sports, and she showed quite a talent as an amateur artist.
Arleen married her best friend’s neighbor, Henry Kriesmann on September 24, 1949, at Immanuel Lutheran Church and transferred their faith membership to Trinity Lutheran Church, Orchard Farm, in 1967.
She became a stay-at-home wife and mother where they raised four children: Bill, Jo, Sharon, and Jan. They built a home together outside Portage des Sioux in 1968 where she resided for 43 years until she could no longer do so in 2011.
Arleen lost her husband Hank to his heavenly home in 2003.
No one could count the hours of time they spent working and playing with friends and family, church and community.
Arleen loved birds…she would always say, “Hear that wren?”
Arleen loved the Cardinals…those in flight and on the baseball diamond.
Arleen enjoyed her years of pinochle playing and bowling on Wednesday mornings.
Arleen loved her crossword puzzles and solitaire…you could always find her at the kitchen table, working one or the other.
Arleen was an excellent cook…no one ever learned her potato salad recipe.
And at the end, Arleen was a strong and content woman, just “making the best” of each day.
Arleen is survived by her children: William “Bill” (and Joan) Kriesmann, Jo Ann Spalding, Sharon (and Mike) Spoede, and Jan Kriesmann; by her grandchildren: Billy, Eric, Aaron, Christy, Jessica, Jamie, Jeffrey, Andrea, Kelli, Garrett, and Ryan; by her great-grandchildren: Henry, Kadin, Trinity, Piper, Zeke, Azalea, Adah, Cole, Hogan, Sydney, Olivia, Owen, Addison, Harper, Anderson, Brooks, Aria, and Declan; by her in-laws, David Wolter, Jean Mueller, and Marvin and Liz Kriesmann; and by many nieces and nephews.
It is with heavy hearts and tears in our eyes that we apologize to mom, her extended family, her friends, her church family, and her community that we are unable to give her the funeral she deserves. We know you are all thinking of us, praying for us, and wishing you could be with us.
We bid mom a final farewell as we did in the evenings when we would see her to bed at the nursing home…we would always start with the Lord’s Prayer of which she knew EVERY word until her final days.
“Our Father, who art in Heaven, Hallowed by Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the GLORY forever and ever. Amen. Lord, thank you for giving Mom the strength for another day. Watch over her and her roommate tonight that they get Rest. Watch over the workers here that they do their jobs and take care of these people. And, Lord, please watch over the both of us until we see each other gain. AAAA-MEN! I love you forever and always.” And she would reply, “me, too.”
Memorial contributions in Arleen’s name may be made to
the Trinity Lutheran Church General Fund, or to
the American Diabetes Association.
Due to the outbreak of COVID-19 all visitations and services will be limited to immediate family. Thank you for your understanding.