Arlene L. Birkeness, 96, of Tomah, went to meet her husband, daughter, grandson, granddaughter, and parents on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse, Wisconsin. She was born to Leslie and Leola (Westpfahl) Gamerdinger as the eldest of 8 on May 20, 1930, in the Town of Adrian in Monroe County, Wisconsin. Arlene was baptized at St. John Lutheran Church in Ridgeville and was later confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church on April 12, 1944, after 8 years of attendance. Upon entering Tomah High School, she played the clarinet as a member of the band and sang in the school choir until her graduation in May of 1948. On September 16, 1950, Arlene wed her dance partner and the love of her life, Wayne Birkeness, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Tomah. He preceded her in death on January 21, 2019. They moved to a house that Wayne built in Camp Douglas. In 1956 Wayne finished building their home in the Schaller Addition, that Arlene lived in for over 68 years. She worked for the Miller Drug Store and retired from the F & M Bank as a receptionist. She was a faithful member of St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church: she sang in the church choir and was a member of the Rachel Mission Circle. Arlene was known as “Nana” to many people. She blessed countless lives with her love, her warmth, her beautiful smile and her legendary stubbornness, we all knew and loved. She taught us what unconditional love looked like and set the standard for what a Nana should be – with grace, strength, class, and a heart bigger than words can describe. She will be sadly missed by all that knew and loved her.
Arlene is survived by her children, Jennifer Rector of Naples, FL, Kathryn (Richard) Henry of Tomah, and Robert (Kim) Birkeness of Naples, FL; grandchildren, Danielle (Mike) Marczak of Naples, FL, Renee (Gregg) Dudley of Weirsdale, FL, Erica (Nilo) Gonzales of Naples, FL, Clay Vann of Naples, FL, and Jacole Welch of Tomah, many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; her sisters, Helen Rowan and Lucille Varney as well as many nieces, nephews, other family members, and close friends.
Arlene is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Wayne Birkeness; parents, Leslie and Leola Gamerdinger; daughter, Lynne Trainor; grandchildren, Ruby Jimenez-Trainor and Jeremy Birkeness; siblings, Donald and Norma Jean Gamerdinger, Howard Gamerdinger, Grace and Jerry Beltz, Sydney and Marcella Fritz, Arlyss Maas, brothers-in-law Vince Rowen and Stanley Varney, Coleman Birkeness and Dean Birkeness, and a sister-in-law Mary Lou Birkeness.
A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, 11:00 A.M. at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church. Pastor Mark Kahrs will officiate. Burial will be in Mt. Vernon Cemetery.
Relatives and friends are invited for a time of visitation on Monday, July 6, 2026, from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau St., Tomah., and at the church on Tuesday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service. Online condolences may be sent to www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com. That family requests memorials be given to St. Paul’s Lutheran School, St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, or a charity of your choice in Arlene’s memory.
Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home
