Arla
Ertl
- VISITATION: Thursday, September 18, 2025 at HERITAGE FUNERAL HOME 9200 South 27th Street, Oak Creek, WI from 4:00 – 7:00 pm
- VISITATION AND FUNERAL MASS: Friday, September 19, 2025 at ST. LOUIS CATHOLIC CHURCH 13207 Co. Road G in Caledonia from 10:00 am until the time of Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am. Burial to follow in the church cemetery.
Arla Ertl, of the Village of Raymond, passed away on Sunday September 7, 2025 at the age of 93. Preceded in death by beloved husband, James. Dear mother of Joe (Anna), Pat, Thom, Larry (Janet), John (Julie), Mike (Christy), and Mary (Greg). Loving grandmother of Diane (Josh), Mike, Sarah (Bart), Casie (Logan), Ellie, Kelly (Ben), Kim, Joe (Annalyse), Jim (Valerie), Tina (Alex), and Jacob. Great grandmother of William, Katie, Timmy, Quinnlyn, Maddox, Delaney, Leighton, Ellanore, Charlie and Cooper. Preceded in death by her parents, Lester and Edith Patterson, Sister Juel Ann, daughter-in law Ann, granddaughter Susan and her husband Adam.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at HERITAGE FUNERAL HOMES (9200 S. 27th ST. Oak Creek) from 4-7pm. An additional Visitation will be held from 10am until the time of Mass of Christian Burial at 11am Friday, September 19, 2025 at ST. LOUIS CATHOLIC CHURCH (13207 Highway G, Caledonia). Burial to follow in the church cemetery.
Per Arla’s request, attire should be celebratory, not black. In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Louis Catholic Church are appreciated.
Arla was born on November 7, 1931 in Racine, WI and lived her whole life on the farm/orchard in Raymond, WI. She graduated from Waterford High School at age 17 attended Kenosha Community College, going on to complete her teaching degree at UW Whitewater. She taught grade school students for many years, retiring from full time teaching in September 1986. After retirement, she was a substitute school teacher and volunteered at Raymond School. Throughout her teaching career she touched the lives of many, many students. Arla met her husband, Jim, at a dance in 1953. She wrote letters to him for two years while he was away in the service. He returned home on Valentines Day, 1955 and they were married in November 1955.
Arla was a full-time school teacher but also worked on the family apple orchard which has existed for over 100 years. She sold produce at the West Allis Farmers Market each and every summer and fall until retiring at age 89. Arla greatly enjoyed time with her grandkids, friends and family. She loved going to the dance hall, playing cards, embroidering, baking and watching NASCAR. Arla wrote in a daily diary from 1939 – 2022. It was truly amazing for her to keep a diary for all those years. Her legacy is written within those pages.
Her last 3 years were spent at Tudor Oaks Retirement Home in Muskego. Special thanks to the staff and Hospice Nurses who took care of her in those final years.
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Arla was one in a million. Her presence lit up the halls of Raymond School. For one of her birthdays the kids made her cards and sang to her She got tears in her eyes and said she didn’t know she was so popular! I gave her a big hug and said, “Arla, everyone loves you!” And we did! She was down to earth, called it like she saw it, and basically just a hoot! She touched so many lives, was dedicated to home and family. She will be missed.
My mom, Nellie was great friends with Arla. They were together the night Arla met Jim, the love of her life, they attended teacher college together and stayed best friends until Nellie’s death in 1979. I imagine that Nelly met Arla at the gates of heaven, along with Jim and so many family and friends.! Arlo was truly a beautiful, wonderful, caring woman, and we have all been privileged to know her and love her. Godspeed Arlo.
She was not only a friend. What a wonderful teacher. She kept those kids On track with a wonderful stories and games.
A few years ago, my Mom attended a funeral here at the church. When she told me about it
later that day she said everyone spoke about how kind the woman was. She got that
famous Arla smirk on her face and said, “I doubt the word kind will be used at my funeral.”
Mom was the kind of woman who always worked hard and never complained. She tried to
look at the bright side of things. On the hottest of days while we were in the fields hoeing or
harvesting vegetables, she would say, “oh, can’t you feel that nice breeze?” She was the
kind of person who loved to send cards and letters. Mom never forgot a birthday, or
anniversary and was sure to acknowledge when a new baby was born in the neighborhood,
or a loved one was lost. Mom was the kind of person who believed in education. She also
loved every one of her students, especially the ones who needed help figuring out what
their special talents were. Mom was the kind of person who never missed an opportunity to
say hello to an acquaintance or former student, sometimes even slipping in right beside
them in a restaurant booth to chat for a moment. You never had to wonder what Mom was
thinking, because she was the kind of person who told you before you asked. Mom was the
kind of person who loved the roar of an engine at a stockcar race, and the sound of a trucks
jake brake as it slowed for the roundabout in front of Rose’s Cafe. Mom was the kind of
person who loved to play cards, rummy with the grandkids and sheepshead with the
family. She was the kind of person who took great pride in her children, grandchildren and
great grandchildren. Mom loved talking to people and taking her apples and produce to
the market for more than her lifetime, since she was going before she was even born. She
was the kind of person who loved fiercely. That is why everything changed for her in
December of 2009, when she lost Dad, the love of her life. The two of them were
inseparable for over 54 years. Her smile was never quite as big, her laugh never quite as
hardy, and the sparkle in her eye, never quite as bright after that day. Mom always said Dad
was a cardinal and would frequently visit her bird feeder. Moments before she passed, a
bright red cardinal came to her feeder at Tudor Oaks. She opened her eyes and tried to
speak, and then she was gone. God sent Dad to take her home. It makes this loss a little
easier to take knowing that they are together again. I believe if you close your eyes and
listen closely, you will hear the distinct sound of an accordion in the distance. I don’t know
if there is beer in heaven, but I am sure there is a polka band and a huge dance floor. Mom
and Dad are cutting the rug right now with Paul and Collette, Bob and Dorothy, Ronnie and
Ellanore and all of the other friends and family who went before them.
The very first condolence I received when Mom passed said “Your Mom was always so
kind to me.” So much for her theory about the word kind.
We love you Mom, give Dad a hug from all of us, we will see you again when it’s our turn to
join you on the dance floor in heaven. You will always be in our hearts, love, Joe, Pat, Tom,
Larry, John, Mike & Mary