Fae Arlene Dempsey, age 83, of Fennimore, died on Saturday evening April 7, 2018 at Lafayette Manor in Darlington. Arlene was born on Nov. 24, 1934 in Fennimore, WI the daughter of Julius and Hilda (Christopherson) Baumgartner. She married Gerald “Jerry” Dempsey on June 16, 1954 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA.
Arlene was a loving and caring wife, mother, and grandmother. She was an excellent caregiver not only to her family, but for the entire community. Arlene dedicated 27 years of her life to the public safety of the residents of Fennimore and the surrounding area by running the Emergency Answering Service and sirens out of her home. She also acted as a Matron for the police department and volunteered doing laundry for the rescue squad. Arlene and her family were able to take one vacation a year were they enjoyed fishing in northern Wisconsin. She enjoyed playing cards and cooking for family and friends and in later years liked going shopping and gambling at the casino. Arlene’s infectious laugh and dedication to family and community will forever be cherished.
Arlene is survived by her three children, Darren Dempsey (Kelly Brietzman) of Stoughton, Dee (Dave) Northouse of Fennimore and Dixie Dempsey of Darlington, 10 grandchildren, four great grandchildren, sister Mabel (Maurice) Clement of Cottage Grove, brothers Thomas (Jo Ellen) Baumgartner of Ottumwa, IA and Roy (LaVon) Peterson of Sparta, and sister-in-law Susan Baumgartner of Janesville.
Arlene was preceded in death by her parents, husband Jerry, infant brother Thomas Abraham Baumgartner and brother Peter Baumgartner.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 P.M. on Thursday, April 12, 2018, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Fennimore with burial to follow in the Prairie Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service at the church on Thursday morning. The Larson Family Funeral Home of Fennimore is assisting the family and online condolences may be made at larsonfuneralhomes.com.