Arline Hetzel (nee Knies), formerly of Wauwatosa, Pella and Waukesha, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016, at the age of 92 and has been reunited with her Lord and her beloved husband, Robert. She was born on Dec. 18, 1923, in Milwaukee, the daughter of Walter and Hilda Knies.
Arline and Robert Hetzel were united in marriage on Dec. 26, 1943, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, and spent 64 years together.
Arline worked in a glove factory during the war and later as a waitress at Gimbels “Tasty Town” and Paradise Gardens, and then various other jobs until retiring. Robert was a World War II veteran. He worked at Allis Chalmers and was a Shriner with the Tripoli Horse Patrol.
After raising their family in Wauwatosa and retiring, they went on to living their dream. They bought a home in the Shawano area with land for their animals, gardening, hunting, fishing and flying their airplane. She loved horses, dogs, all animals, and owned just about every animal at one time or another. She loved music as well as dancing, especially when it was with her husband.
Arline was so proud when they were involved with the Tripoli Horse Patrol, especially when Robert rode their horse, Honey, in Jimmy Carter’s inaugural parade. Another member rode their other horse, Chance. Robert also rode Chance as Buffalo Bill Cody in Milwaukee’s Fourth of July parade in 1971, 1972 and 1973, and many other parades.
Arline and Robert had fun playing gig in the Shawano County area for dances and private parties, Robert played the accordion and Arline sang. Polkas and waltzes were in high demand.
Arline is survived by her daughter, Nancy Hetzel; her sons, Jim and Jack; grandsons, Daniel (Danielle) Hetzel, Eric Brunette; granddaughter, MiNei (John Fitzgerald) Hetzel; great-grandchildren, Hailey Hetzel and Otis and Muriel Fitzgerald. She is further survived by a sister-in-law, Nancy Knies, and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Arline was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; parents, Walter and Hilda Knies; Robert’s parents, Louis and Lydia Hetzel; sisters, Florence Geisler, Laverne Wagner and Violet Shrader; brother, Leroy Knies; brothers-in-laws, Ted Geisler, Joe Wagener, Fred Shrader and Harold Hetzel; and sister-in-law, Marcella Hetzel.
Arline was a sweet, caring, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother. We all will truly miss her.
A visitation for Robert and Arline will be held on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016, from 1 p.m. until the time of the 3 p.m. Memorial Service at Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home, 237 N. Moreland Blvd., Waukesha. A cold buffet will be provided after.
Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home, Cremation and Pre-Planning Services is serving the family.
For further information, call 262-542-6609. For directions, an online obituary or to leave a condolence, visit www.WaukeshasFuneralHome.com.