Arlene A. Saheim – O’Connell, 88 of Eau Claire passed away on Sunday, November 20, 2016 at Dove Healthcare-West.
Arlene was born on March 26, 1928 to Dietrich “Dick” and Ada (Hogberg) Kirchhoff on a farm in the township of Pleasant Valley. She graduated in 1946 from Eau Claire Senior High School. On October 15, 1949 she married Marvin Saheim in Eau Claire. After Marvin’s death, she married Robert O’Connell on June 2, 1989. Arlene worked at Luther Hospital for many years and retired in 1998. Arlene enjoyed time spent on Prairie Lake, activities with her friends in the Model A-Club, attending church services and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Arlene is survived by her daughter, Sandra Place of Eau Claire; son, Randy (Roxie) Saheim of Eau Claire; step-children, Colleen (James) Spaeth, Michael O’Connell, and Daniel (Sandy) O’Connell; grandchildren, Christine (Jason) Thomas of Eau Claire, Lisa Saheim of Eau Claire, Erik (Johnette) Place of Eau Claire, and John Saheim of Eau Claire; great-grandchildren, Julia, Anna, Skyler, Madelyn, and Cooper; sister, Dorothy McQueen; and brother, Verlyn Kirchhoff.
Arlene was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Saheim; husband, Robert O’Connell; and siblings, Hilda, Violet, Gilbert, Lawrence “Barney”, Ardis, Edna, and Dale.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at Mayo Clinic Health Systems-Home Health and Hospice and Dove Healthcare-West for their support and compassion with the care of Arlene.
Funeral services will be on Monday, November 28, 2016 at 1:00 pm at St. Matthew Lutheran Church with Pastor Steve Rutter officiating. Visitation will begin two hours prior to the services at the church on Monday. Burial will follow the services at Forest Hill Cemetery.