Arleen Gleason, age 90, of Clintonville, died Thursday, March 5, 2015 at Shawano Medical Center.
She was born February 18, 1925 to Oswald and Beatrice (Thompson) Slette. She graduated from Blair High School in 1942 and earned a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Journalism in January, 1947. At the University, she was active in Coranto, professional journalism sorority. Upon graduation, she was a reporter for the Portage Daily Register. On Dec. 29, 1947 she married Walter Gleason in Madison. They purchased the Montello Tribune which they published until 1951 when they purchased the Clintonville Tribune-Gazette which they published until 1994. Arleen served as co-publisher. For more than 50 years, they were active in the Wisconsin Newspaper Association. Walter died in 1995. Arleen served three years on the board of the Clintonville Area Foundation, was a member of the United Methodist Church and United Methodist Church Women, the American Association of University Women, Clintonville Junior Women’s Club, Clintonville Riverside Golf Club, Clintonville Curling Club, Waupaca County Republican Party, was involved in the American Field Service (AFS) and active in the St. Rose bridge marathon.
Survivors include: her daughter, Cynthia (William) Kostka, Denver, CO; son, David (Louise) Gleason, Clackamas, OR; grandchildren: Jennifer (Brian) Beck, Denver, CO; Billy (Rhonda) Kostka, Los Angeles, CA; Jesse (Denee’) Gleason, Vancouver, WA; great-grandchildren: Tucker Beck, and Kyra and Kody Gleason; and a brother, Dr. Darrell (Donna) Slette, Waco, TX. Arleen was preceded in death by her parents; Oswald and Beatrice (Thompson) Slette, and a sister Doris Anderson.
Arleen’s memorial service will be held Saturday, May 16, 2015 at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Clintonville with Rev. Keith Wolf officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Graceland Cemetery, also in Clintonville. Friends may call at the church on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of service. The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory of Clintonville is assisting her family with the arrangements. www.eberhardtstevenson.com