Maybelle “May” Arndt, age 70, passed away Thursday, October 14, 2010 from a recent battle with cancer. She was daughter or Clayton Allen and Mabel Soper. Born and raised in Amherst, WI. May graduated from Amherst High School in 1958. She moved briefly to Milwaukee before marrying C.A. “Jeff” Jeffers in August 1958. They moved to Marshfield, WI and then to New London, WI where she was the primary caregiver for their five children.
May was a Charter Member of the New London Jr. Woman’s Club and was heavily involved with many civic activities. She was also actively supported her children’s interests becoming den mother, brownie leader and helping with the high school musicals. While in New London May went from novice golfer and steadily improved her game to become flight champion on several occasions. She also enjoyed playing bridge weekly with a neighborhood bridge club. May moved back to Amherst following a divorce. During the next five years, she had a successful career selling Mary Kay Cosmetics. After moving back to the area she met Roger I. Arndt through mutual friends. The couple married in March 1980.
She was an active member of St.Olaf’s Church. Hobbies included geneology, gardening, knitting, quilting and crocheting. Christmas was her favorite time of year. May is survived by her loving husband of 26 years, Roger I. Arndt. Her siblings Clayton (Ruth) Allen of Waupaca, WI, Evelyn Allen of Amherst, WI , Tina Vickery of Glendale, CA and Audrey Allen of St. Augustine, FL. She is also survived by her children Dawn Jeffers of Scottsdale, AZ, Kevin (Sarah) Jeffers of Rockville, NY, Scott (Denise) Jeffers of Wisconsin Rapids, Jennifer (Guy) Belter of Greensboro, NC and Kelly (Raphael) Draschtak of Vienna, Austria. She is further survived by grandchildren Joshua (Joy Ann) Jeffers, Justine Jeffers, Erin La Haye, Jacob Jeffers, Brett Gerlash, Colton Belter, Ryan Jeffers, Isabella Jeffers and Sophia Draschtak. The family wishes to thank her many friends including Marge Stratton and the ladies at the Stepping Stones Salon for the wonderful care and attention given to her for so many years, as well as the staff at St. Michael’s Ministry Hospital for the exceptional care they provided during her stay as a patient. Their kindness and support will long be remembered and appreciated.
Visitation was held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 15, at Jungers-Holly Funeral Home in Amherst, WI. Funeral services were held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 16 at St. Olaf’s Episcopal Church in Amherst, WI. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to St. Olaf’s Church in memory of May.