Arden Polzin Kuehmsted

Arden passed away peacefully less than one week after her joyful Happy 95th Birthday Celebration surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Arden was born and raised in New London, Wisconsin. Graduating as her high school class valedictorian inspired her to go to Lawrence University where she was an English major and an active member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority. That’s where she met the love of her life, Tony Kuehmsted when she refused to share the sports page in the library until he talked to her. They were married on August 16, 1952, and Arden was an English Teacher and Drama Coach at Chilton High School. Tony and Arden remained the perfect twosome until Tony’s death days before their 70th wedding anniversary.

Arden was involved throughout Appleton, as an active Lawrence and Theta Alum, a member of King’s Daughters, Fortnightly, Over the Teacups and other book clubs, and a devoted parishioner at All Saints Episcopal Church. She was also the treasurer for Tony’s business, Peerless Paint Manufacturing Company. Arden found time to be a super mom, always the volunteer leader for her kids’ Cub, Brownie, and Girl Scouts troops. After her son Bill was diagnosed with cancer, she shifted her energy to the American Cancer Society, running their citywide Cancer Crusade and organizing anti-smoking and breast cancer awareness programs given by local high school students. After Bill’s death in 1970, she and Tony became active on the ACS state and national levels and earned the St. George National Medal, given to outstanding community volunteer in recognition of their distinguished service. After their “retirement,” they moved to their beloved cottage in Waupaca, WI, which was Arden’s favorite place on earth right up to the end.

Arden was proceeded in death by her parents George and Lenny Polzin, and her sister Mary Lu DeWitt (Chuck). In addition to her cherished son Bill, Arden was the proud mother of Barbara Bostrom (Robert), and Peggy Reitz (Phil), and adoring “Gramma K” to her grandchildren Anne Bailey (Aaron), David Reitz (Kristen Linscott), Elizabeth Espinosa (Franco), Bill Reitz (Kait Lavinder), and Scott Bostrom (Katie Ryan). And she was lucky (and flexible!) enough to play on the floor with her seven great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Friday, Sept. 27th at All Saints Episcopal Church, 100 N. Drew St., with visitation at 1pm and funeral services at 2pm. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Wichmann Funeral Home. Special thanks to the amazing staff at Arden Rose Senior Living in Lake in the Hills, IL, and her former wonderful caretakers at Touchmark on West Prospect. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Bill Kuehmsted Memorial Scholarship at the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, 4455 W. Lawrence St., Appleton WI 54914 or at www.cffoxvalley.org.