Lois Arnold

Lois M. Arnold, 83, died on Thursday, July 19,2018, at Ascension St. Claire’s Hospital, Weston. She was born on Nov. 18, 1934, in Kronenwetter, the daughter of the late William and Ruth (Brown) Kasten. She grew up in rural Mosinee.

Shortly after Lois graduated from high school, she began working at the Wausau dry cleaner. A co-worker introduced Lois to his brother, Howard Arnold. Cupid shot arrows of true love. She a Howie married on Sep. 25, 1953, in Mosinee. After nearly fifty-five years of marriage to Lois, Howie departed this life in April 2008

As newlyweds, Lois and Howie briefly operated a gas station on Western Avenue in Mosinee. Soon afterward, Howie was offered employment by Consolidated Papers in Wisconsin Rapids, and they moved to that city. In the late 1970s, Lois and Howie built their dream home in Rudolph, WI, where they lived until 2003. From then until Howie’s passing they once again lived in Wisconsin Rapids.

Lois was a doer. While attending Mosinee High School, she was an active member of the Future Homemakers of America and served as Chapter President. Living in Wisconsin Rapids, Lois was a Lutheran Girl Pioneers Leader. In her 30s she decided she wanted to learn how to swim and took lessons at the YMCA. During Lois and Howie’s summer camping trips, she greatly enjoyed swimming. Wanting to be a good neighbor, she volunteered at Rudolph Elementary School.

Seven Kasten siblings were born between 1931 and 1948. Lois’ mother and father had outside jobs and Lois necessarily became the de-facto cook and baker. Her Christmas cheeseball recipe is legendary, and her fruitcakes were supreme.

Lois had an eye for design. Her home settings were always immaculate, and she had a gardener’s green thumb, especially for flowers. Lois sewed numerous beautiful outfits for her nieces and made lovely quilts for nephews. Her crafting was gorgeous and her creations from years ago still bring smiles to those she gifted. She always remembered birthdays.

Lois lived in Wausau from 2008 and loved nothing better than going for summer walks around town. She enjoyed windows and could easily escape into the vistas they represented. Her tip-top enjoyment, day or night, winter or summer, was a Dairy Queen vanilla swirly cone.

Lois’s survivors include four siblings: Nancy Schwede, Wausau, Sara Jewel (Jerry Newhauser), Milwaukee, Robert (Diane) Kasten, Wausau, and Jane (John) Fox, San Jose, CA, and she had many nieces and nephews. Two brothers, William and James Kasten, preceded her in death.

Services for Lois will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, July 26, at Beste Funeral Home in Mosinee. Pastor Marilyn Lange of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Mosinee, will officiate. Visitation will be from 9 a.m., July 26, until time of services at the funeral home. Online condolences can be left at www.bestefh.com.