Arlene N. Alexander

Arlene N. Alexander, 93, of Soldiers Grove, WI passed away peacefully at her home on December 14, 2023.

She was born in Gays Mills, WI, November 5, 1930, the eldest child of Clarence and Millie (Spurrier) Peterson. Her parents were farmers and rented several farms in the Soldiers Grove area.  The last being on Plum Run before they settled on a farm at Sugar Grove in 1942, where her mother was originally from.  Here they had dairy cattle, hogs, and tobacco fields. Being the eldest, Arlene learned at an early age what farm life was all about: milking the cows, planting tobacco, harvesting crops, and being self-sufficient.

She attended grade school in Crawford County and later at Sugar Grove before attending Readstown High School.  On July 1, 1947, she married the love of her life, George Alexander, at the Methodist Parsonage in Soldiers Grove.  George hauled milk and was a cheesemaker at the beginning of their marriage.  He learned quickly that Arlene could not only take an elegant twirl on the dance floor, but she was just as quick as any man to hitch up the work horses to plow the fields.  As their family started to grow, they yearned to have their own independent life and business.  After their son Bobby passed away in 1952, they finally settled down and purchased the Alexander farm at Sugar Grove which had belonged to George’s grandfather.  Here they raised the remainder of their children, 5 boys and 2 girls; Hard work and being self-sufficient was a part of daily life.  They were members of the Sugar Grove Church of Christ.  In later years they transferred their membership to the Soldiers Grove Church of Christ.

While George worked on construction sites during the week, Arlene ran the farm and household, instilling in her children a strong work ethic.  Besides a strong work ethic Arlene was known for her giving and kindhearted nature.  Being on the Alexander home place, the extended family was also welcomed and there wasn’t a Sunday when the house wasn’t full; There was always a place at the table and food for everyone in the family and close friends.  About 1972 George quit working on construction sites and they both devoted their time to the farm and family.  In 1978 Arlene was ready for something new and at the age of 48 attended Southwest Tech in Fennimore to get her CNA, being at the top of her class.  She worked at a local nursing home and also homecare.  She was just as dedicated to her patients/clients as she was to her own family, never putting her needs first.  Arlene and her husband George retired from farming in 1990 and eventually moved to Soldiers Grove.  They celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary before George’s passing in 2014.

Arlene had a variety of hobbies, she enjoyed everything from crocheting, knitting, and macrame to canning and preserving foods.   Her famous dill pickles practically had to be hidden from the grandchildren in the cellar in hopes that some would be left over for the winter months.  She enjoyed her herbal garden, flower beds, as well as sitting back and working on crosswords and reading.  She often looked up her family and friends on Facebook, searched the web to expand her knowledge, or looked for a new crochet pattern.  Her hobbies, skills, morals, values, and faith have been passed down to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and will continue to be passed on for generations.

She was a devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, and looked forward to each new great-great grandchild.  She will be remembered as a loving and caring individual who touched the lives of many, putting all others before herself.  Her memory will forever live on in the hearts of her family and friends.

Arlene is survived by her daughters: Carey (Steven) Olson and Cheryl (John Applebee) Otterson; a son, Kevin Alexander; daughter-in-law, Monica Alexander; 29 grandchildren, 61 great grandchildren; 9 great-great grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces and nephew.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, George; 5 sons: Leslie, Ronnie, Mike, Robert “Bobby,” and Kelly; daughters-in-law, Cheryl and Rhoda; son-in-law, Tim Otterson; granddaughter, Skylar Applebee; her sister, Kay Howe; and her two brothers, Roger and Arlan Peterson.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at the Gays Mills Community Center at 11:00 a.m.  A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until time of service. Interment will take place at the Sugar Grove Cemetery.

Bill and Diane Coleman, as a family we thank you for your wonderful neighborly support over the years; Also, a big thanks to Arlene’s caregivers, Lavonne and Jennifer- as a family we thank you.  Arlene was so overwhelmed with the care you gave her and cherished the friendship that developed with both of you.  Thank you to St. Croix Hospice, especially Annette and Laurie, for being there for Arlene in her final months, giving her and her family the much needed and appreciated support.  The family would also like to thank Roth Family Cremation Center.

Roth Family Cremation Center and Funeral Services is serving the family.

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