A life celebration for Arleen (Uppenberg) Etnyre is now at hand for this 100+ year-old daughter, sibling, wife, mother and trusted friend. To those close to her, she was known simply as "Uppie".
Arleen was born in Mt. Carroll, Illinois to parents Emil and Anna, of Norwegian and Swedish ancestry, she was the youngest of three other siblings: Clarence, Evelyn and Ethyl. She grew up during the Great Depression. She graduated from high school in 1941 just as the country was entering World War Ii. She always considered herself a "city girl" and loved art, writing and dreams of travel to exotic locales. She loved, loved, loved cats and they became part of her "extended family".
Her best friend was Berneita, a fellow schoolmate. They shared textbooks and double dating. Berneita's boyfriend Warren, later husband, introduced Arleen to Wayne, a handsome lad with black hair and hazel eyes, Arleen's future husband.They married in the Spring of 1942, Arleen becoming a "country wife".
Another high school friend, Betty, and her husband Hank joined the group and for many years, the six of them went to dances, played cards and had parties in each other's homes. One year Arleen, Wayne, Berneita and Warren planned a fun family trip to Yellowstone National Park. Later, the four of them traveled to Acapulco together and they also shared many winters together in Florida
Wayne and Arleen relocated to various small towns in northern Illinois, where Wayne farmed, learned how to clerk sales of livestock, estate sales and auctioneering. This led to the eventual purchase, with the help of his father Clyde, of a livestock market in Winslow. Son David also joined the family business. Arleen worked in the front office, handling accounts, billing, and helped setup the small cafe there. Her writing passion gained traction and several of her stories were published in the Freeport Journal Standard where she was a feature guest editor.
Life brought them to Florida in 1979, where they found a warmer climate in Fern Park and then to St. Augustine. Arleen nurtured her love of writing, joining a writer's club, moving back to Central Florida, following Wayne's death, following 49 years of marriage and succumbing to prostate cancer at age 69.
Arleen felt compelled to help seniors in need of light housekeeping, cooking and companionship, working with The Council on Aging and Good Samaritan Nursing Services, while living in Casselberry and then at The Plymouth, in Winter Park. Comments from her care recipients during this 5 year profession include: "very kind & gentle nature", "in every respect a lady", "interested in many things & is well-read", " an excellent cook", "often goes out of her way to do things not required", and "professional competency of the highest level".
She was a compassionate, kind, and grateful soul who kept in close contact with her family and loved when they came to visit. Her son David and wife Nancy of 52 years, live in Blue Ridge, GA. Their two children: daughter Michelle (Scott) of Ellijah, GA, son Jeff and his wife Michalene live in Idaho Falls, ID. She had four great grandchildren Tyler, Ashley, Kennedy and Mason. Arleen and Wayne's second son Gary, died in infancy. Susan and son-in-law Jeff of Maitland FL lived close-by to visit and care for Arleen. They all share fond memories of a life "well-lived".

For those wishing to share their memories of Arleen, please go to the DeGusipe Funeral Home & Crematory, Maitland web page on Obituaries.