Arlene Belva (Rumppe) Orethun, 86, of Ontario passed away Saturday, June 10, 2023. She was born Dec. 14, 1936, at her home in Cashton, Wis., to Crystabel (Jacobus) and Earl Rumppe. She and her twin sister, Darlene, are two of the 10 children in the family.
Arlene graduated in 1954 from Ontario High School. After high school, she moved to La Crosse, where she met her future husband, Alonzo “Nuck” Orethun. Alonzo’s military service led them to Oklahoma, where they were married on June 1, 1956. They moved to Illinois, where they welcomed two of their children, Debbie and Ricky. After moving back near Cashton, they had two more children, Cindy and Tammy. Life took them back to Ontario, where they had their final child, Penny, built a house, and spent the rest of their married days.
Arlene is survived by her children, Cindy (David) Kothbauer, Tammy (Mark) Smith, and Penny Harr; her honorary daughter, Alice (Gerald) Johnson; her grandchildren, Jacquoline (Jade Anundson) Mehtala, Matt (Ashley) Kroeger, Ben (Janet) Johnson, Sonnet (Eric) Frank, Michelle Brueggeman, Nicholas Kroeger, Ashley Thieman, Brooks (Alicia) Benjamin, Mitchell Smith, Alonzo (Alyssa) Harr, Chelsea Harr, Bubba (April) Kroeger, JJ Johnson, and Desiree Harr; her siblings, Darlene Hanson and Frank Rumppe; her sisters-in-law, Doana Rumppe, Eileen Rumppe, and Shirley Rumppe; 28 great-grandchildren; one-great-great-grandchild; along with nieces, nephews, close cousins and relatives, and dear friends.
Arlene’s faith reunites her in heaven with her husband; her parents; her children, Debbie Kroeger and Ricky Orethun; her great-great-grandchildren, Lanie Geisser and Drew Geisser; her siblings, Mertie (Lawrence) Beier, Fern (Max) Conant, Alfred (Darlene) Rumppe, Mildred (Howard) Anderson, Harold Rumppe, Robert (Mary) Rumppe, and Earl Rumppe, Jr.; and a brother-in-law, Gerald “Sonny” Hanson.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, June 16, at Grace Haven Church, 114 Church St., Ontario, Wis. Burial will follow in the Home Cemetery in Ontario, Wis. Pastor Bob Streeter will officiate. Family and friends are invited for visitation Thursday, June 15, from 4–7 p.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home, 720 Madison St., Ontario. Visitation also will be held Friday at Grace Haven Church from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
The Torkelson Funeral Home of Ontario, Wis., is assisting the family with arrangements.
Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
