Ellen J. Arnsmeier

Ellen was born on November 21, 1925, in Rockford, Illinois to Reginald and Thelma Lance.

Growing up she attended Alpine Elementary School and graduated from East High School in Rockford, Illinois. She was united in marriage to Milbourne (Arnie) Arnsmeier on December 3, 1943. During WWII she worked as a receptionist, teletypist and switchboard operator at Taylor Freezer Corporation in Beloit, Wisconsin. Arnie worked 12-hour nights and Ellen worked 9 ½ hour days. After the war they took a brief sojourn to California, but returned to Rockford and purchased the Alps Drive-In.

They moved to Florida in 1954, where Arnie became a carpenter and Ellen worked as a bookkeeper for 22 years. They had three daughters, Sherry, Pamela, and Joann.

Ellen was baptized and confirmed on July 14, 1957, at Grace Lutheran Church in Vero Beach, Florida and it remained her church home for 50 years. She played the piano for the Primary Sunday School, taught Sunday School, was a member of the bell choir, and active in the women’s organization including district president.

Ellen and Arnie were married for 60 years before God called him home in 2004. Ellen was also preceded in death by brother Harley, daughter Pamela, sons-in-law David and John, and great grandchildren Michael, Adam, Evan and Phillip.

She is survived by daughters Sherry and Joann, 6 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren.

Ellen’s favorite bible passage:
“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies:
and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” John 11:25, 26

‘Long before I was aware of Him, God was watching over me, keeping me in His loving care and He still is.’

Memorial Service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, September 9, 2023, at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 1025 SW Ward Road, Lee’s Summit, Missouri 64081.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations in Ellen’s memory to:
Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary
11831 N. Seminary Drive
Mequon, WI 53092