Arlene J. Schwab passed away on May 29 at Willowcrest Health Services in South Milwaukee. She was born on May 16,1936 in St Paul, MN. She was preceded in death by her parents, Gordon and Violet Schwab; husband of 25 years Clifford Hebert; brother Douglas Schwab; sister-in-law, Pat Schwab and Lee Schwab; brother-in-law Chuck Krinke; stepsons, Thomas Helbert and David Helbert.

Arlene is survived by her brother Dennis Schwab; two sisters, Susan Krinke and Sally Neavin; stepdaughters Susan Jarosz (James), Louise Helbert, and Anne Worske (Samuel); step daughter-in-law Lynn Helbert (Thomas); grandchildren Avis Helbert, Matthew Helbert (Jane), Matthew Jarosz, Andrew Helbert, and Ayla Worske; nine great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Arlene was caring, loving, kind compassionate with a great sense of humor. Mom always praised her good care of my sister Sally and me. We were a decade younger than Arlene, but she was always there to encourage, give us advice or just listen to us. She loved sports and played in league softball, swimming and became a skilled downhill skier. What a blessing to have had her as my big sister!

Arlene and her husband, Clifford Helbert were married from 1976 until 2000 at the time of his death. After her husband retired from Marquette University, he and Arlene were able to travel extensively visiting family and friends. This included an extended trip to England where they visited his son Thomas with the U S Air Force.

Clifford was also a member of the First Brigade Band for more than a decade. A Civil War reenactment band which toured many midwestern states as well as Civil War battlefields in the eastern United States. Arlene joined several other wives of band members, dressed in period appropriate regalia, who accompanied and marched along with the band. Clifford and Arlene hosted many family dinners as well as gatherings for neighbors and friends. She was not the cook in the relationship with one exception, her apple pie. She often brought one to family gatherings still warm out of the oven.

Arlene left her position at Marquette University when Clifford retired and went to work at Miller Brewing in Milwaukee. In addition to her office job, she was part of a team of volunteers who tasted batches of beer for quality control. The children and grandchildren could always count on Arlene's interest and support in their successes as well as their challenges. She tried not to show favoritism, but Arlene was closest to her youngest grandchild, Ayla. Ayla was born in 2003 and lived near Arlene. That afforded Arlene time to attend many school events, every birthday, and extended family time with Ayla. In fact, one tradition that Arlene started was to have a yearly Christmas photo taken with Ayla which she incorporated in her Christmas card. She was a very proud grandmother.

The Memorial Gathering for Arlene begins on Friday, June 14, 2024 at 10:30AM at Prasser-Kleczka Funeral Home, 3275 S. Howell Ave, Milwaukee, WI. The Memorial Service will be at the funeral home at 11:30AM. Interment directly follows at St. Adelbert Cemetery, 3801 South 6th Street, Milwaukee WI. We would like to give the staff of Willowcrest Health Center and the Northshore at Home Hospice team of Laurie, Kelly and staff our sincere thanks for their kind and professional care of our dear sister Arlene during her time with them.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Northshore at Home Hospice, Milwaukee, WI or the charity of your choice.