Donna Arpke

Donna Mae Arpke, age 81, earned her wings the most blessed and peaceful way possible, in her sleep, on Thursday, March 12th. Donna was born on August 21, 1933 in Kiel, WI to the late Milton Mattes and Leora (Koeser) Mattes Rehm. Donna graduated from North High School in 1952 and married Richard Calvin Arpke June 3, 1956. He preceded her in death March, 2002. While in high school Donna worked in the dietary department of St. Nicholas Hospital. She took time off to raise her family and then started working again as a pm cook at the Sheboygan Retirement Home for many years, finishing her career by cooking at Pine Haven, retiring at 1998. In her retirement years she loved watching her grandchildren as they grew up to be the wonderful people they are now. Her great grandchildren brought special delight and warmed her heart. Donna was devoted to her family and there wasn't much she wouldn't do for them, she loved them all so much. Donna Mae Arpke is survived by one daughter, Karen (Bruce Mansker) Marx of Cleveland, WI, two sons both of Sheboygan Falls, Patrick Arpke and Michael Arpke; three grandchildren, Tim (Brenda) Miota of Sheboygan, Rob (Becky) Marx of Green Bay, and Erin (Howard) Spiess of St. Paul; and six great grandchildren, Rebecca and Brianna Miota, Trevor and Cameron Marx and Stella and ‘new baby' (will be born any day now) Spiess. She is further survived by two sisters, Jody (Erich) Koepke of Sheboygan, Eileen (Jim) Otto of Tucson, AZ and two sisters-in-law, Armella Arpke of Plymouth, WI and Bernice Dora of Howards Grove, WI, along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and her furry feline children, Maggie, Chase and the three Munchkins outside. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and her daughter, Barbara Jane Arpke. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, March 15, 2015 at 4:30 p.m. at Zimmer's Westview Funeral and Cremation Care Center (Hwy 42 and JJ, Howards Grove) with the Rev. William Kesting officiating. Friends may call on Sunday, at the funeral home, from 2:00 p.m. until the time of service. God really carried Donna so many times the past years when she was so sick. Everyone at Davita Dialysis Center held a very special place in Donna's heart for keeping her alive so many years. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in her name. The Footprints Prayer One night I had a dream... I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord, and Across the sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; One belonged to me, and the other to the Lord. When the last scene of my life flashed before us, I looked back at the footprints in the sand. I noticed that many times along the path of my life, There was only one set of footprints. I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in my life This really bothered me, and I questioned the Lord about it. "Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, You would walk with me all the way; But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, There is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why in times when I needed you the most, you should leave me. The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child. I love you, and I would never, never leave you during your times of trial and suffering. When you saw only one set of footprints, It was then that I carried you.