Arlene Betty (Pierce) Waltz

Born on April 19, 1926, she celebrated her 100th birthday at her home with family and friends this past spring. Arlene was born and grew up in the Lansing area. She was one of five children born to Hugh Pierce and Myrtle Dean (Bennett) Pierce. Arlene was a graduate of Sexton High School, Lansing, but began working as a teenager long before graduation. She held a number of jobs, one of her favorite being an usher at a Lansing movie theatre, where she was able to see all the movies for free. She always had a good head for numbers, however, and eventually was employed primarily as a bookkeeper in a number of businesses. Her last employer was Michigan Beef Co. (formerly Kiebco Meat Company), DeWitt, where she worked for 20 years, and made many lasting friendships.

Arlene married Emmett Jack Pierce on January 25, 1947. Together they had two children, Fay Gregory and Jane Marie. Although the marriage would be short-lived, they remained friends throughout their lives. And, although Arlene had sole custody of their two children, care and love for Greg and Jane was a priority for both parents.

In 1954, Arlene married Waymon (Bill) Ganer. Bill brought his two young children, Bruce and Sue, into the family. It was a short marriage, but a happy one. They moved from Battle Creek to DeWitt, where Bill eventually died from cancer in 1956.

Arlene lived the rest of her life in DeWitt. In 1959, she married Arnold (Zip) Waltz. Arnold's daughter, Gloria (Waltz) Parker, soon became a welcome and true daughter to Arlene. Together, Arlene and Zip had many wonderful adventures. They loved dancing and often went to grange dances on the weekend where Zip called square dances. But their favorite place to spend time was their cottage at Higgins Lake. They spent almost every weekend there where much fishing, card playing, swimming, and general good-natured shenanigans took place. And, the fish that were caught, got cleaned and eaten. No matter if the fish was 3 inches or 23 inches. Arlene could really fry up a great platter of fish!

After the death of Arnold in 1986, Arlene spent the rest of her life living at her current residence in DeWitt with her two sisters, Geraldine (Gerry) Phillips and Ardella Peck, both of whom had lost their husbands. For 20 years, the three of them spent their winters in Winter Haven, Florida, and their summers in their home in DeWitt. Their children and grandchildren were always welcome and visited often, whether in Florida or Michigan, and their families soon blended together. Cousins became like siblings, and aunts became like mothers and grandmothers.

When thinking of Arlene, these things come to mind: she loved to share a cold beer and have a good conversation, she rooted for the Tigers and Michigan State, she enjoyed cooking and made and shared many casseroles, she read and enjoyed the daily paper, she was a good listener, she liked her blinds closed at night, but open during the day to let in the sunshine, she liked the light, she was unafraid, she valued friendship, she liked and always had a clean house, she was funny, she laughed easily, she loved unconditionally.

Arlene is survived by her children, Jane Pierce, Greg Pierce, and stepdaughter, Gloria Parker; grandchildren, Michelle (Marty) Yonker and Scott Pierce; great-grandchildren, Gavin Yonker, Mitchell Yonker, Kennedy (Brad) Holbrook, and Keagan Pierce; nephews, Daryel (Dianna) Peck and David (Gillian) Peck; nieces, Patsy Cook, Judy Hoste, and special great-niece, Rae Dean Hood; special friend, Barb Koonter; and many other great-nieces and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her great-grandson, Pierce Yonker; husband, Arnold Waltz; sisters, Geraldine Phillips and Ardella Peck; and brothers, Vernon Pierce and Dale Pierce.

Special thanks to MidMichigan VNA Hospice and caregivers, Ashley Malone and Dawn Herman.

The family will not be having a memorial service. There will be an immediate family only gathering at the gravesite.