Arvilla Pauline Nemer

Arvilla Nemer EAU CLAIRE - Arvilla Pauline Nemer, 94, passed away on Saturday, February 28, 2015 at the Syverson Lutheran Home. Arvilla was born in Racine on April 26, 1920 to Fritz and Augusta (nee:Rehberg) Marquardt. Arvilla was a resident of Racine nearly her entire life, moving to Eau Claire in January of 2012 when her health dictated she be closer to her children. Arvilla, an excellent student, attended schools in Racine, graduating early from Park High School in 1937. It was at Park High School where she met her future husband, Leo Nemer, while seated alphabetically in study hall. On July 10, 1941, Arvilla married Leo W. Nemer in Racine. They were married 54 years. They both worked in Racine until Leo was drafted in World War II. Arvilla continued to work at JI Case Company during the war, first as a riveter on airplane wings and later as an inspector. She worked there until the birth of their first child. Arvilla remained a homemaker for many years raising five children. Later, Arvilla worked for Schultz Brother Foods in Racine from 1958 until her retirement in 1982. She happily financed college for her five children with the money she earned there. Arvilla was an excellent seamstress. Always with an eye toward frugality, she often recreated current fashion trends, making matching dresses for her girls and everything from school clothes to prom dresses. Arvilla also used her creative skills as a Brownie leader. An active member of Emmaus Lutheran Church in Racine, Arvilla was a member for over 50 years. She started the altar guild and served on it for many decades. She made layettes for African women, knitting sweaters for newborns and assembling necessary care items for them. Along with other church members she fed the hungry in Racine, belonged to a women’s Bible study circle, and was a member of the prayer chain group until her death. Arvilla joined a group of women following high school which they called the “Gimper Girls”. These women met monthly, first for evening get- togethers and later for luncheons. These dear friends shared family stories, family picnics, their latest travel exploits, and enjoyed each other’s company, meeting monthly until they were in their nineties. Arvilla and her husband Leo belonged to Tanglefooters Dance Club, enjoying quarterly dinner dances with friends. Additionally, Arvilla and Leo began a vacation tradition with their family, first camping in the Minocqua Lakes area of Northern Wisconsin, and later “cottaging” with their children, children’s spouses and grandchildren. Arvilla traveled extensively, first with her husband and after his passing, alone. She celebrated her 80th birthday with a trip to the Holy Land. Always curious about the world, Arvilla continued to read two newspapers daily and watched CNN through last week, but the news she enjoyed the most was that of the daily activities of her children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren. Arvilla is survived by her five children and their spouses: Janis Sukus, Sturtevant; Gail Serrahn (Richard) Peoria, Illinois; Wendy Severson (James) Eau Claire; William Nemer, Whitehall; Kurt Nemer (Patricia) Mukwonago. She is further survived by ten grandchildren, twenty great- grandchildren, a brother James Marquardt of Roswell, Georgia and three nieces. Arvilla was preceded in death by her parents Fritz and Augusta Marquardt, her husband Leo W. Nemer, her son in-law Richard Sukus, and her sister-in-law Carol Marquardt. Our dear sweet mother was always kind, slow to anger and non-judgmental. She loved the uniqueness of each of her children. How we miss her. Visitation will be Friday, March 6, 2015, at 10 a.m. at Emmaus Lutheran Church in Racine. The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m., Pastor Mary Janz officiating, followed by a luncheon. Burial will be at Graceland Cemetery following the service. Memorials are preferred to Emmaus Lutheran Church. Arvilla’s family wishes to thank the staff at Syverson Lutheran Home in Eau Claire for the loving care they provided their mother over the last three years. They always kept her coffee cup and candy dish full. Their loving care and kindness will not be forgotten.

Tributes

Arvilla Pauline Nemer

April 26, 1920 - February 28, 2015