Arlene Erma Kollmann, 87, of Bloomington, IL died on Monday March 21, 2022 at Luther Oaks. She was born February 21, 1935 in Hammond, Indiana to Melville and Ann (Miller) Storz. She grew up in Blue Island, IL and was a strong- willed child who excelled in school and piano.
After graduating from Blue Island Community High School, Arlene worked as an administrative assistant for the Rock Island Railroad. She enjoyed her daily train ride to the city, working with girlfriends, and shopping on Michigan Avenue.
Arlene met her husband, Marvin Kollmann on June 1955 at a wedding at which Marvin performed. He played accordian in the polka band. They married 2 1/2 years later on November 30, 1957 and went on to have a son, Mark, and identical twin daughters, Linda and Lori. They lived on the family farm in Tinley Park, IL.
In 1964 Marvin and Arlene moved their family to a farm in Watseka, IL, where they lived for 54 years. They were married for 62 years until Marvin passed away on January 28, 2019. They were members of the Calvary Lutheran Church in Watseka. Arlene moved to Bloomington in March of 2019 and was a member of Christ Lutheran Church of Normal.
Arlene was a devoted wife and mother, taking care of her children, fixing many meals and chauffeuring her children to their many activities. She was also a devoted grandmother, helping to babysit her grandchildren whenever needed. We will all miss her unwavering love and her sage advice.
Survivors include one son Mark (Jill) of Martinton, IL, two daughters, Linda (Bradley) Baer of El Paso, IL, and Lori (Steve) Woodard of Washington, IL; eight grandchildren, Kristin (Jacob) Jones, Evan (Jessica) Kollmann, Seth (Katlyn) Woodard, Ashley (Bradley) Moritz, Emily (Nick) Zabel, William Woodard, Lucas (Ashley) Wall, and Elyssa Kollmann; one sister Carol Rauch of Vandalia, MI; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 10:00 am-11:00 am Thursday March 24, 2022 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Watseka with funeral services at 11:00 am. Rev. Jonathan Huehn and Rev. Aaron Uphoff will officiate. Burial will follow at Lyman Cemetery in Watseka.
Memorials may be made to Calvary Lutheran Church in Watseka or Christ Lutheran Church in Normal.
Please share a memory of Arlene at www.knappfuneralhomes.com.
