Arlene Jane Heinrich, 85, of Turtle Lake died Sunday, October 1, 2023, at Parkview Home, Woodville, Wisconsin.

She was born December 10, 1937, in Huntersville Township, Minnesota to Charles (Charlie) and Lydia (Immonen) Lapinoja. She was married in Watertown, South Dakota on April 11, 1969, to Eugene (Gene) Heinrich who preceded her in death on June 15, 2013.

Arlene was a pretty dang good bowler in her day, and has a trophy to prove it. She worked for Deluxe Checking as a proofreader and lived in St. Paul, MN for years before meeting her husband Gene and taking on the very full time job of taking care of her family. She was a good cook and lovingly made home cooked meals every single day. She made special, pretty cakes on holidays and was always clipping recipes from the St. Paul Pioneer Press to try.

She was a gentle soul and spirit with a penchant for mischief, a love of laughter, and a stubbornness she quietly exerted every single day of her life. She had a gift for making people laugh and she somehow brought lightness and joy to every encounter and conversation no matter what she was going through. She was the very definition of tough and tender. Sisu incarnate.

She is survived by her two daughters, Melissa (Chuck) Fair and Susan (Mike) Moravitz; six grandchildren: Brenna (Ryan) Drake (Taylor Drake), Jack Ryan, Mason Moravitz, Cameryn Moravitz, Isaac Fair, and Evan Moravitz; 2 great grandchildren: Miriam and Galilee Drake; sisters: Shirley Sweeney and Joyce Limanen; brother, Chuck (Betty) Lapinoja; and many other family and friends. Arlene was preceded in death by her son, Brad; her husband, Gene; brother, Stan Lapinoja; sister Pat Stoeckel; and parents Charles and Lydia Lapinoja.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 PM Saturday, October 7, 2023, at Skinner Funeral Home in Turtle Lake. Burial will be in Mission Cemetery in Trade Lake, WI. Pallbearers are the grandsons. Visitation will be from 1-2 PM on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at the funeral home.

Skinner Funeral Home of Turtle Lake is serving the family.

Last Update: Oct 04, 2023 2:33 pm CDT