Arlene Lucia Wildhaber, of Jefferson City, formerly of Argyle, was born on June 13, 1930, at Freeburg, in Osage County, a daughter of Dr. Charles Bernard and Pauline Christine (Vermoilen) Luetkemeyer, and departed this life at 1:43 p.m., on Wednesday, October 23, 2019, at her home, in Jefferson City.  She had attained the age of 89 years, 4 months, and 10 days.

Arlene was united in marriage on October 15, 1949, at Freeburg, to Ralph Herman Wildhaber, and to this union, nine children were born.

Prior to her marriage, Arlene worked briefly in St. Louis as a housekeeper and at an ice cream shop and then at St. Mary's Hospital in Jefferson City (she quit after 1 week because she was so homesick).  She and Ralph owned and operated Wildhaber's Store in Argyle for nearly 40 years and after selling the business in 1987, Arlene did child care in her home, worked for a drug store in Jefferson City, Play-Mor Trailers in Westphalia and served a term as board member for the City of Argyle.   A woman of great faith, she was proud of her time spent teaching religion to the children of the St. Aloysius Parish before school.  A lifetime member of the St. Aloysius Parish in Argyle, she was a choir member for many years and she loaned her beautiful voice, along with her daughters, to sing at many weddings.  An accomplished, self-taught pianist, Arlene enjoyed playing for the family on Sunday mornings, holidays and special occasions.  She will be remembered for her dry sense of humor, her generous attitude (she loved baking bread for her friends at Primrose), her wit and her ability to outscore nearly any Scrabble opponent.  An avid reader, in her later years Arlene stayed busy doing embroidery and word puzzles especially the ones she could play on her "Kindel"… it was not uncommon for her to call asking for help when she was stuck and out of "hints." She will be greatly missed by all who knew her, but especially her children whom she was so close to.

Those left to mourn the passing of Arlene include: Her nine children, Thomas Wildhaber (Peggy) of Argyle, John Wildhaber (friend Sandy) and Nora Bock (Randy),  all of Westphalia, Michael Wildhaber (Gloria), Dana Wildhaber (Darlene), and Monica Wilson, all of Jefferson City,  Marla Wilson (Randi) of Holts Summit, Lisa Wildhaber (friend Eddie) of Folk, and Jeff Wildhaber (Kathy) of Lohman;  twenty-one grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren with one anticipated in December of 2019; five sisters: Laurice "Sister Benita" Luetkemeyer, Conception; Ann Solomon, Senoma, California; Marcella "Sister Bede" Luetkemeyer, Conception; Paula Ross, Novato, California; and Sandy Haller (Pat), Freeburg; sisters-in-law; Julianna Luetkemeyer, Joan Pinkstaff, Marcie Branum and Bernice Schmitz and brothers-in-law Kenneth Wildhaber and Francis (Mary Ann) Wildhaber, nephews, nieces with greats and great-greats as well; and a host of other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph, on  December 14, 2016; one grandson, Cody Gerard Wilson, on April 26, 1988; her father, Charles, on October 9, 1944; her mother, Pauline, on September 11, 1993; five brothers, Charles "Jack" Luetkemeyer on April 23, 1976, Francis Luetkemeyer on November 4, 2009, Rev. Alexander Luetkemeyer, OSB, on March 1, 2005, Edwin Luetkemeyer on September 16, 1990, and Ambrose Luetkemeyer on January 4, 1960; and two sisters, Olivia Luetkemeyer on October 19, 2013, and Rosemary Corrigan on June 6, 2017.

Visitation for Mrs. Arlene Wildhaber will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., with a Rosary Service at 4:00 p.m. and a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m., on Monday, October 28, 2019, and a visitation from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, October 29, 2019, in the St. Aloysius Catholic Church, One Church Lane, Argyle, Missouri 65001.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Mrs. Arlene Wildhaber will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, October 29, 2019, in the St. Aloysius Catholic Church, One Church Lane, Argyle, Missouri  65001, with the Rev. Matthew Flatley as the Celebrant.

Interment will be next to her beloved husband, Ralph, of 67 year  in the St. Aloysius Cemetery, Argyle, under the direction of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home in Vienna.  Pallbearers for Mrs. Wildhaber will be Dominic Wildhaber, Todd Wildhaber, Jacob Wildhaber, Adam Wildhaber, Joshua Wildhaber, Greg Wilson, Ethan Wilson, Tyler Wilson, Carter Wilson, and Mason Bock.

Memorial contributions in memory of Mrs. Arlene Wildhaber are suggested by her family to Masses or to the St. Aloysius Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund with envelopes available at the church or in care of Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, P.O. Box 250, Vienna, Missouri  65582.