Arlette A. Genise, a beacon of joy and the unofficial queen of holiday flair, left us with hearts full of cherished memories on December 4, 2024, in Milltown, WI. Born on September 17, 1954, in Hibbing, MN, Arlette was the spirited daughter of Angelo and Yvonne Genise, later joined by her stepmother, Evelyn. Her siblings, Ronald, Frank, and Sharie, all of whom predeceased her and are probably now being bossed around by her in the great beyond.

Arlette, a proud graduate of Hibbing High School, never lost her zest for learning, but she did decide that academia's loss was the service industry's gain. She spent her adult life in the service industry and managed many different businesses such as banquette halls hosting many weddings, celebrations and parties she then moved on to manage the sports bar Micheal’s with gusto.

Even though her service industry life was cut short with disabilities she never slowed in helping those she loved celebrate life’s special moments using her creative flare to make our memories with her bigger than life.

Her daughters, Angie Shannon, with her wife Val, and Nicole Holdt, with her husband Kyle, inherited their mother's knack for excellence and the ability to turn any frown upside down. Arlette's legacy continued to blossom with her grandchildren, Amanda Groehler, Andrew Erickson (and his wife Jovonna), Tyler VanAtta, Elliot Shannon, and Landon Holdt, who all knew her as the woman who could out-fish, out-camp, out-decorate, out-sew anyone. Let's not forget the great-grandchildren, Braelynn, Kolten, and Scarlette, who were the newest recruits in her holiday decorating brigade.

Arlette was a woman who could grow a garden so beautiful it made the roses jealous. Her fishing tales were so grand that even the fish stopped to listen, and her camping adventures were the stuff of legend—just ask any mosquito that dared to disrupt her tranquility. She had a gift for making every holiday an event that Hallmark cards could only dream of capturing. From the sparkle of tinsel at Christmas to the haunting allure of Halloween decor, Arlette's house was the place to be, and her meals were the stuff of neighborhood legend.

Loving, generous, and creative—these were the words that danced around Arlette like fireflies on a warm summer night. She sprinkled her love and generosity as liberally as she did glitter on her holiday crafts. And when it came to creativity, she could turn a few scraps of fabric into a masterpiece, much like she turned everyday moments into lifelong memories.

Arlette's laughter was infectious, her wit sharper than the knives she used to carve Thanksgiving turkeys, and her hugs were the perfect remedy for any blues. She was the life of the party, even if there was no party, which was rarely the case at her house.

So here's to Arlette A. Genise, a woman who lived life with the gusto of a stand-up comic delivering the punchline to life's jokes. She left us not with a void but with a treasure trove of laughter, love, and a blueprint for how to make the most of every moment. While she may have taken her final curtain call, the show she directed—her life—will continue to play on in the hearts and stories of those who loved her.

And for those who knew her best, it's not goodbye; it's just intermission. We'll catch you in the second act, Arlette, where the fish are always biting, the gardens are forever in bloom, and the holidays never end. Keep the laughter going until we meet again.

A memorial service to celebrate Arlette’s life will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, December 13, 2024, at Rowe Funeral Home in Luck, WI, with visitation beginning at 1:00 PM.

Last Update: Dec 09, 2024 2:03 pm CST