Stanley Arpke
Stanley Arpke, 76, passed away on April 5, 2021, surrounded by his family at his home in Fond du Lac, WI.
Stan was born on December 16, 1944 in Beaver Dam, WI to Arthur and Valma (Backus) Arpke.
Stan was raised in Waupun, WI and graduated from Waupun High School – Class of 1963. He later graduated from the business school at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 1968. After graduation Stan served in the US Army during the Vietnam Era.
After his service, Stan continued his education at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, pursing his master’s degree in counselor education. Stan started working at Moraine Park Technical College where he counseled students for 28 and a half years.
Stan married Kathy Koehler on August 21, 1976 at St. William’s Catholic Church in Waukesha, WI. Stan and Kathy met and were college sweethearts at the University of Wisconsin- Oshkosh.
Stan lived his life sharing his gifts of love, kindness, and laughter. His loud distinct laugh made it easy to pick him out of a crowd. He was a generous and caring man with strong beliefs in sharing his talents with his family and community. Stan was a past president of the Fond du Lac Jaycees. He volunteered as an umpire and referee for the ARC of Fond du Lac, and taught middle school tennis lessons through the Fond du Lac Recreation Department for many years. Stan was passionate about tennis and participated in a league with many beloved friends for over 30 years. Stan tended “God’s Garden,” on his two-acre property where he landscaped flower gardens (especially roses), grew vegetables, and picked apples. He enjoyed cutting his lawn on his John Deere tractor and his grandchildren would beg for rides. Stan’s last wish was to get a puppy (Annabelle) because he missed his dog (Dakota) who passed last summer.
Stan is survived by his wife, Kathy; daughter, Amy (Josh) Wiedmeyer and their children, Alison and Abigail; son, Joseph; brother, Arthur Arpke Jr; brother-in-law, John Koehler; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Stan is preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, Harold and Mary Koehler; sister, Cynthia Dale and sister-in-law, Darlene Arpke.
Services- Stan’s family will greet friends and relatives for a time of visitation from 4:00pm to 5:45pm on Tuesday April 13th, 2021 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 271 Fourth St. Way, Fond du Lac. A Memorial Mass will follow visitation at 6:00pm. Burial will be at Rienzi Cemetery.
Memorial donations can be made in Stanley’s name to Broken Bread, St. Vincent de Paul or any charity organization of your choice.
Stan’s family wishes to extend a special thank you to the entire team at Agnesian Hospice for their care of Stan and the priests and chaplains who comforted the family.
Online condolences may be offered at www.zacherlfuneralhome.com