Arlene E. Voelz

Arlene E. Voelz, 101, of Tomahawk and Naples, Florida, died Monday, August, 31, 2015 in Naples, Florida. Born on a countryside farm in Belleville, Wisconsin on June 25, 1914 to George and Kathryn (O'Connor) Genin, she was the eldest of five children, and a 1931 graduate from Belleville High School. In 1940 she wed Robert E. Voelz in Madison. They moved to Tomahawk where they owned and operated the Tomahawk Drug Co. pharmacy, located at 124 W. Wisconsin Avenue, from 1948 to 1976. During their marriage they enjoyed many travels throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Haiti, and the USSR. They particularly enjoyed visiting the European countries of their ancestors and the beautiful state of Hawaii. Arlene is survived by her children, Margaret (Loren) Ames, Mary (David) Harper, James (Laura) Voelz, and Kathryn (Scott) Collier. She is further survived by 5 grandchildren, Rebecca (Brian) Koenings, Jared Ames, Chris Collier, Karen Sutherland, and Elizabeth Voelz, 2 great grandchildren, John Koenings and Kiersten Arlene Koenings, Siblings, Raymond (Marion) Genin, Violet Genin, and Betty (Robert) Merkel, many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and sister, Leona Meyer. Arlene devoted her life to her faith and family. She was a loving and beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend whose memory we are left to honor. Throughout her life she retained a vivid recollection of events, both personal and historical, dating back to the presidency of Woodrow Wilson. She told stories about life before electricity, running water, or automobiles, and happy tales of her countryside life. Her wisdom, unique to a long life, will be truly missed.