Arlette J. Kretschmer

Arlette J. Kretschmer, 89, of Sioux City passed away peacefully March 23, 2017 at Prairie Estates in Elk Point, SD.

Cremation rites have been accorded and a Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, April 1, 2017 at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel with Father Jay Denne of St. Thomas Episcopal Church officiating.  Burial of the cremains will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.  Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Arlette Joyce (Gylfe) Kretschmer was born September 3, 1927 to Gustav and Mabel (Shogren) Gylfe on a farm southwest of Beresford in Clay County, SD. She was baptized and confirmed at Dalesburg Lutheran Church. She received her education in Danefield Country School and graduated from Beresford High School in 1945. 

She married Emil Kretschmer (of Sioux City) December 28, 1952.  She worked at Iowa Public Service as a secretary and later for Hoak Motors.

Arlette was the youngest of four children. Her parents both spoke fluent Swedish and as a small child picked up many Swedish traditions as well as some of the language. She enjoyed participating in Midsommar festivities at Dalesburg Lutheran church where she became a "friend of Midsommar."  She loved being able to travel to Sweden and be immersed in the culture.

She had a love for music. One of the first songs she learned from her father was the Swedish song Gubben Noak. The Gylfe family entertained guests frequently and Arlette would sing this song for visitors. Even in her last year's people would comment on her beautiful voice. She played clarinet and was in chorus in high school. She treasured her first piano she received as a child and kept it until she moved out of her home.  She also taught piano lessons for many years. She found herself in her element as an alumni director of the Siouxland Youth chorus. 

Arlette was involved and honored in many volunteer positions such as a Sioux City Public Museum, Red Cross Christmas Tour of Homes, Travel Hostess for Allied Tours, National Secretaries Association, Quilting Group at St. Thomas Episcopal, working at the Sergeant Floyd Welcome Center, and the Red Hat Society. Her talents for sewing were put to great use when she would volunteer for the Boys and Girls club by teaching classes on how to sew. One of her greatest honors was to be named as Volunteer of The Year at Saint Luke's hospital where she would knit hats for babies.

In October 2013 she entered Prairie Estates. She always enjoyed the letters, emails, pictures and visits from various nieces, nephews and former piano students.

Arlette was preceded in death by her husband Emil, parents Gust and Mabel, three brothers Ronald, Harley, and Elwood, step son -in-law Darrell Markey.

She is survived by her step daughter Mary Markey and grandson Steven of Seattle, WA; Sisters-in-law: Trini Gylfe of Bartlett, TN, Shirley Gylfe of Beresford, SD, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and host of friends.

Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Thomas Episcopal Church.