Arlene E. Hetzel, age 84, of Sheboygan, died on Thursday, April 29, 2021 at her home. She was born in Minneapolis, MN on April 1, 1937 to the late Cyril and Ellen Johnson Kotchen.
Arlene attended local schools in Minneapolis and graduated from Edison High School in 1955. She then earned an associate’s degree in office and clerical work. On April 27, 1962 she was united in marriage to Thomas R. Hetzel in Georgia. He preceded her in death in 2009.
She and Tom met in Clearwater, Florida, where both worked for Honeywell Aerospace. She was very devoted to staying home and raising her three young children. In later years, Arlene became a teacher’s aid for the Sheboygan Area School District until her retirement.
She was a current member of First Congregational United Church of Christ in Sheboygan where she sang tenor in choir and crocheted in the Shawl Ministry. Arlene enjoyed crocheting, classical music, crossword puzzles, canning, cooking, gardening, and tending to her flowers and the visiting birds. She was known for her generosity and loved to spend time with her grandchildren. Weekly gatherings at her home for her children and grandchildren were a source of great joy for her.
Survivors include her three children, Timothy (Colleen) Hetzel, Marie Hetzel (and former husband Martin Ulrich), and Cindy (Larry) Bartol, all residing in Sheboygan. They also include seven grandchildren, Carly (Eric) VandenAcker of Menominee Falls, Dan (Angela Morasco) Weiss of Missoula, MT, Heidi Hetzel of Flagstaff, AZ, Keri (Nick Balma) Hetzel of Tempe, AZ, Sara Bartol of North Hampton, MA, Simon (Kiera Kastman) Ulrich, and Sophie Bartol, both living in Sheboygan. She is further survived by her brother, Donald Kotchen of Forest Lake, MN along with many other relatives and friends. Arlene was preceded in death by her parents, husband, a brother, John and two sisters-in-law, Patricia and Jean Kotchen.
A memorial service for Arlene will be held on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. at First Congregational U.C.C., 310 Bluff Ave. Sheboygan. Family and friends may gather at the church on Wednesday afternoon from 4:00 p.m. until the time of service at 6:00 p.m.
A heart felt thank you is extended to Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice, the Vince Lombardi Cancer Clinic and Arlene’s wonderful neighbors for all their help. A memorial fund has been established in Arlene’s name and may be directed to the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice.
The Reinbold-Novak Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.reinboldfh.com
Memorial Service
Date: Wednesday May 5, 2021
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: First Congregational Church [map]
Visitation
Date: Wednesday May 5, 2021
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Location: First Congregational Church [map]