Arlene Oksa

Arlene Ann Oksa, age 82, of Kenosha, WI, reunited with the love of her life in heaven on September 30, 2025 - what would have been their 58th wedding anniversary. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of her daughters - both in person and in spirit.

For 35 years, Arlene and her husband Victor lovingly ran a daycare out of their home. All who were blessed to be cared for by her will agree she was much more than a daycare owner - she was a second mother, a teacher of life's earliest lessons, a safe harbor for working parents, and a gentle, steady presence in the lives of countless children. Those children, along with their parents, became lifelong members of her extended family, a testament to the love and care she poured into her work and community. Her home was filled with photographs of her extended family.

Arlene had a natural way of lighting up any room and making everyone in it feel loved and welcomed. She was known for her calming voice and warm, loving smile. She enjoyed sewing, baking, and crafting, and loved sharing these hobbies with others. She also cherished spending time shopping and "bumming around" running errands with her girls.

Arlene treasured her role as a mother to her three daughters and adored being a grandmother to her one and only granddaughter who will cherish the memories of baking with her. She was an avid animal lover who cared for many pets over the years and found great joy and companionship in her beloved dog, Bella.

Her family remembers her quirks fondly; the way she's recite the entire contents of the refrigerator the moment you opened the door, her creative gift-wrapping that included old items that would be a confused look until she whispered that it was hiding money inside, the sound of her voice saying "Victor" in a particular way when he had done something. She and Victor enjoyed spending time in the den watching Wheel of Fortune, NCIS, Days of our lives and countless other TV shows. Her daughters remember spontaneous car rides that would end up at a fun hotel for the weekend.

She is survived by her children Melissa (Herman) VanDeest, Michele Oksa, and Melinda Oksa all of Kenosha WI as well as her Granddaughter Marissa Oksa, her great-granddaughter Anastasia Paugel, a brother Palmer (Bud) Jones, and nieces Amy (Matt) Ricci, Misti Jones and Amber and Aurora Wood.

Arlene is preceded in death by her husband and soulmate, Victor H.J. Oksa Sr.; her parents, Palmer and Bessie Jones; her brother, Ervin Jones; her sister Carol Wood and her niece Autumn Wood.

A celebration of life will be held on November 1, 2025, from 3:00 - 5:00pm at Birchwood Grill in Bristol, WI.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Oksa family.