Joseph E Arlt

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Joseph E. Arlt, 70, of La Crosse, was called to Heaven on Sunday, April 29, 2012 at the Bethany Riverside Nursing Facility, surrounded by his family, after a short and courageous battle with cancer. He was born on March 11, 1942 in La Crosse to Rudolph and Elsie (Faltis) Arlt, Sr. He attended St. Wenceslaus Grade School and Aquinas High School, graduating in 1960. He attended WWTI to learn the printing trade. He served six years with the Army National Guard Red Arrow Division. On October 26, 1968 he married Mary Ellen Mac Phetridge in La Crosse. He was last employed at Inland Printing Co. in La Crosse. While he was still working he had an unfortunate fall at home that left him a quadrapalegic. He was cared for by his wife Mary and son Brian until moving to Bethany Riverside. He has been an inspiration to his family and friends with his positive attitude despite his disability. He was always friendly and never complained about his situation or ever asked, Why me? He loved to spend time with his family and friends, and the Thursday nights with the guys. Joe was a selfless man who always put others first, and always had an ear to listen to offer any help. We want to thank all our family and friends for all the love, help and support throughout the years. We are so very blessed to have you. We want to thank all the staff at Bethany Riverside for the excellent, loving care Joe received. He was treated not as a resident, but as family. We all thought of the people at Bethany Riverside as our family as well. They provided us so much love and support.

He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Mary Ellen, one daughter Stacey (Jason) Carlson of Alma Center, WI, one son Brian Arlt (Sheila Hanson) of La Crosse, two grandchildren Colton Carlson and Connor Carlson, two sisters Margaret (Anthony) Spalla of De Soto, WI, Rita (Ronald) Brueggen of Onalaska, three brothers Rudolph (Kloy Kay) Arlt, Jr. of Onalaska, Richard (Anne) Arlt of La Crosse and Thomas (Linda) Arlt of Onalaska, a brother-in-law David Mac Phetridge of La Crosse, a sister-in-law Nance (Stephen) Quall of Minneapolis, MN, uncle and aunt Arthur (Marie) Yost of La Crosse and special family friends George (Maggie) Bell of La Crosse. He was preceded in death by his parents, a grandson Carter Carlson, a nephew Kenneth Arlt, brother and sister-in-law Donald (Betty Ann) Mac Phetridge, sister-in-law Mary Mac Phetridge along with many aunts, uncles and cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, May 4, 2012 at Mary, Mother of the Church Parish at St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Rev. Douglas Robertson will officiate. Burial will follow in the Mormon Coulee Memorial Park. Friends may call at the Schumacher Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse on Thursday from 4-7 PM where a rosary will be recited at 4:00 PM and again at the church on Friday from 9:30 AM until the time of service. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred and will be used in Joes honor.

As much as I loved this life and all the times we shared, I was so very tired and knew my time on earth would fade. Then I saw a wondrous image of a place thats trouble free, where all of us can meet again to spend eternity.

I saw the most beautiful rainbow, and on the other side, were meadows rich and beautiful, and loved ones with their arms open wide. My own tired, failing body was fresh and healed and new, and I wanted to go walk with them, but I had something left to do.

I needed to reach out to all of you, to tell you Im alright. This place is truly wonderful, then a bright glow pierced the night. Twas the glow of many candles shining bright and strong and bold, and I knew then that it held your love in its brilliant shades of gold.

For although we may not be together in the way we used to be, We are still connected by a love no one can see. So whenever you need to find me, were never far apart, if you look beyond the rainbow and listen to your heart.