Patricia Ann (Kamenick) Arntsen
October 13, 1932 - June 04, 2014
Obituary
MADISON-Patricia Ann (Kamenick) Arntsen peacefully passed away the morning of June 4, 2014, at her home at Oakwood Village in Madison, Wisconsin. She found joy and happiness in all parts of life. She not only saw the glass as half full, she delighted in every drop of it. Pat was born Oct. 13, 1932, at her grandparents' home in rural Marathon County, Wisconsin. She grew up with her five brothers and three sisters in central and northern Wisconsin, graduating from Laona High School in 1950. She received a scholarship to attend nursing school at St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield, became a registered nurse, and practiced her profession for over forty-five years in Marshfield, Madison, Eau Claire, Tomah and Waukesha, retiring in 1997. Along the way she received a bachelor’s degree from St. Francis College. She loved nature, classical music, travel, her Irish heritage, and her family. She collected teapots and pets, and crafted scores of beautiful and unique quilts, which she delighted in giving away to friends and family. They are treasures we all will cherish. She sang in choirs that performed in Ireland and France, and loved to travel throughout the country. She loved her children and grandchildren, and reveled in family events. Although afflicted by multiple ailments, she always did the best with what she had, and loved every minute of it.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Anton and Mae Kamenick, and her brothers Marlon and Terrence Kamenick. She is survived by six siblings, Lois Coleman, LaVerne (Natalie) Kamenick, Madonna (Roger) Wickingson, Toni Jean (Tom) Kettwig, Duaine (Carol) Kamenick, and Vaughn (Patsy) Kamenick; five children, Allen Arntsen (Elizabeth Erickson), Andrew Arntsen, Peggy (Derek) Popp, Pete Arntsen, and Amy Arntsen; nine grandchildren, Quinn Arntsen (Halley Lauer), Rose Arntsen, Tara Arntsen, Lia Arntsen, Alex Popp, Mariah Popp, Arlo Arntsen, Claire Pevehouse, and Ava Pevehouse; and her beloved cat, Jack.
A memorial service will be held at the RESURRECTION CHAPEL AT OAKWOOD VILLAGE, 6201 Mineral Point Road, Madison, at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 7, with a reception to follow. All who knew and loved Pat are welcome. Memorials in Pat’s name may be gifted to Wisconsin Public Radio, Madison Opera, and the Pheasant Branch Creek Conservancy. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Avenue
(608)831-6761
Events
Service
Sat Jun 7, 2014 @ 3:00 PM CDT
Oakwood Village University Woods - Resurrection Chapel (Madison) • 6205 Mineral Point Road, Madison, WI 57305
Photos
Memories
AM
Ann E. Maloney MD
Other •
I loved Pat! She taught me so much of what helps me day to day to be a doctor, nurse and Mom. She had the most HILARIOUS ways of giving change of shift report. I can still remember my favorite. I will use code. FIAM. If you worked with her over the years, you know just what that means and how it classically describes describes disorganized features of a decompensation of schizophrenia. I went on to work on an eating disorders unit. Pat taught me what I needed to know to hold that post. She had incredible energy. I remember the MOUNDS projects, the book club, all of the times we laughed and shared our times together. What a woman. To Amy and her kids, you should be so proud! I wish I could be at her service today. I am, in spirit. Love to all, Ann E. Maloney RN, BSN, MD
ML
Marilyn Lustek
Other •
Pat was a vivacious woman who seized the day. I will remember her excitement and enthusiasm for all she was interested in. She supported all of us Middleton neighborhood kids with the same excitement. I also appreciated her professional advice when I had a concern about a friend suffering from anorexia. I have fondly posted a picture of Pat attending my wedding with Middleton neighbors in September of 1994. She is in the middle, in green, in between my mother, Clara Tyler, nand me, Marilyn (Tyler) Lustek. My condolences to Pat's family, Marilyn (Tyler ) Lustek
CM
Chris & Dennis Merritt
Other •
Am so sorry we have only just heard about Pat and thus missed the memorial service. What a loss! A primal force in the Ancient Earthworks Society, her energy and enthusiasm will be sorely missed. Sympathy to the family.