Arlene G. Kapanke

Arlene G. Kapanke, 86, of Chaseburg, passed away Monday September 1, 2014 at Hillview Health Care Center in La Crosse. She was born July 21, 1928 in the town of Washington, La Crosse County to Helmer and Olga (Running) Midtlien. She was baptized at Upper Coon Valley Lutheran Church and confirmed at Lower Coon Valley Lutheran Church by Pastor H.O. Bach. Arlene married Lester Hoff on May 26, 1947. He died during heart surgery in 1959. On June 15, 1968, she married Elmer Kapanke. He preceded her in death on July 1, 2002.

Arlene worked in school lunch from 1960 to 1990. Many children in the Chaseburg-Coon Valley area grew up on her good cooking. Throughout her life, she served the Lower Coon Valley Lutheran Church in Sunday school, WELCA and the church council. She was a member of the Sarah Circle. During her retirement she was a volunteer at Gundersen Health System. She proudly received her GED in 1991.

Arlene is survived by her children, Paul (Dian) Hoff of Cameron, Wis., Patricia (Mary Jo) Hoff of Chaseburg and James (Rosemarie) Hoff of La Crosse; 9 grandchildren, Lory, Jennifer, Amanda, Erica, Danielle, Ashley, Nicolette, Olivia and Jamison; 11 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and her sister Myra Hoff.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the Lower Coon Valley Lutheran Church. Rev. Donald Fox will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. Friends may call on Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Seland Funeral Home in Coon Valley and at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until service time. Online condolences may be given at selandsfuneralhome.com. Memorials may be given to the Lower Coon Valley Lutheran Church or Gundersen Health System.

The family would like to thank all the extended family, neighbors, friends and church members who enabled Arlene to stay in her home for so long and to continue being a part of the community she so enjoyed. Thank you to Dr. Miller and the staff at Hillview Health Care Center for their loving care of our mother.