Arlene J Waltonen

WALTONEN, Arlene J. "Wallie"
Portage. Michigan Passed away on Friday, June 27, 2008 at Friendship Village Health Center in Kalamazoo, MI after a battle with cancer and Alzheimer's. Arlene was born July 20, 1933 in Menominee, MI to Waitio W. Waltonen and Bessie Holland Waltonen Schaperkotter. She received her BA and MA in Art Education at Michigan State University. For 34 years she taught art in the Kalamazoo Public Schools, Arlene started teaching elementary art at Wilson and South Westnedge, then at Parkwood-Upjohn and Oakwood Junior High and finally at Kalamazoo Central. She also served as the KPS Secondary Art Coordinator. After her retirement from KPS Arlene taught art education at Western Michigan University for four years. Arlene was a member of the NEA, MEA, NAEA and received the Michigan Art Education Association Secondary Supervisor award and a lifetime membership to the MAEA. She was an inspiration to both art students and art teachers alike. Arlene is survived by her sister, Marilyn James Waltonen Thunes, of Keshena, WI and her brother Wallie Jewreen Waltonen, of Ebro, FL as well as her four nieces, Kerry Wayne Binnington of Coloma, MI; Kativa Waltonen Conroy, Mindy Waltonen and Monty Waltonen of Ebro, FL; three nephews Jerry Joyce Thunes of Milwaukee, WI, James Walter Kathy Thunes of Appleton, Wi and Marty Joann Waltonen of Ebro, FL, eleven great nieces and nephews and four grand nieces and nephews. No visitation is planned. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 3, at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 S. 9th St., Kalamazoo. Memorials in Arlene's memory may be made to your local arts programs or Heartland Hospice Services of Portage, MI. Please go online at www.langelands.com to sign the register book and leave a condolence to the family.