Arlene T. Lee

Arlene Tonetta Lee, age 99, of Menomonie, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on July 11, 2025, at Colfax Senior Living in Colfax, WI.

Arlene was born on October 28, 1925, in Daleyville, Wisconsin, to Carl Midthun and Alma (Ankaltrud) Midthun. Growing up on a farm outside of Mt. Horeb was magical to her as she loved the orchards, the farm animals, and the beautiful views from their home on the hillside. Throughout her elementary school days in her 1-room schoolhouse, she was the only student in her class from 1st through 6th grade. She graduated from Mt. Horeb High, during which time she was a cheerleader and served one year as her community’s Harvest Festival Queen, which included waving from a float during the festival parade as well as other community events.

Arlene attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. After just 2 years, she moved back to the farm to be with her parents after learning that two of her brothers were missing and/or wounded in action during WWII. Thankfully, both brothers came home from the war.

Arlene went on to work in Madison, Wisconsin, as a switchboard operator at Montgomery Wards, before being promoted to executive assistant to the president of the company. She was active in Christian organizations and activities, including a youth group dinner event where she met her husband, Sherman, for the very first time. While crossing paths with Sherman in the kitchen, he gestured toward her with a jar in his hand and romantically said, “Want a pickle?” After mom had refused the pickle, he later picked up a cake pan and said, “How ‘bout a piece of cake?” Mom eventually went on a date with him to hear the Trapp Family Singers perform, and a year later accepted his marriage proposal.

Once married, they moved to Menomonie where she raised their 4 children. There were many fun times with family including camping, swimming at the Holiday pool, the slippery slide on the front yard, watching her kids’ summer softball games, holiday get-togethers with uncles, aunts & cousins, sledding, building snow forts & playing on wooden skis, tobogganing at the fairgrounds, hiking in the woods, summer visits to Arlene’s home farm, and eventually summer motor home adventures throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Arlene involved herself in many organizations, including serving as president for the Wisconsin PTA, Christian Women’s Club, Women’s Music Club, bible camp board, and more. She sang in the church choir for years, and was a soloist at countless concerts, weddings, and funerals…including the funerals of her mother, her brothers, her sister-in-law, and others who trusted her to honor their departed family members with her beautiful voice.

Arlene was a devoted & loving mother and tried to attend every athletic or musical event her kids participated in. She also adored her grandchildren and loved spending time with them and attending their activities at every opportunity. When the grandchildren started having families of their own, she would beam with pride over her great grandchildren.

Upon becoming empty-nesters, Arlene and Sherman continued to travel and were able to realize their dream of traveling to Norway, Israel, Russia, and the Cayman Islands, as well as visiting their adult children in Baraboo, Utah, Alaska, and Hong Kong.

Mom was a homemaker and a devoted wife to her husband Sherman, who was the love of her life for over 70 years. When Sherman eventually went into the nursing home, Arlene dedicated herself to being with him every day and continued to be his constant companion until he passed. Despite losing her loving husband, mom continued to persevere even with her own physical challenges. She was able to stay in her own home for the next 8 years beyond anyone’s expectations, sustained by her undeniable will to live.

Arlene lived a life centered on faith, family, and service. She loved her church family at Living Hope in Menomonie and was devoted to the fellowship she shared with them. Arlene continued to lead her Wednesday bible study on Zoom up until this May.

Arlene is lovingly remembered by her family: children Shari Lee, Kristi (Bruce) Jonet, Lynda Lee (Carlene Wall), and Steven (Sharon) Lee; grandchildren Nathaniel Jonet, Micah Jonet, Angela McEachern, Keira Lee, & Sam Lee; 4 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews; all of whom she absolutely adored.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dr. Sherman Lee, her parents, and four brothers.

The family wishes to thank the amazing staff at Colfax Senior Living and Interim HealthCare & Hospice for the wonderful care and kindness that she received.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, July 18, 2025, at Living Hope Church, 620 24th Ave. W., in Menomonie, WI with Pastor Brent Juliot officiating. Visitation and viewing beginning at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, Menomonie.

For those who can’t attend, Arlene's funeral will be live streamed at www.facebook.com/myhopemenomonie

To share a memory, please click on obituaries at www.olsonfuneral.com