A lifetime as a wife, mother and teacher ended for Arlene Anhorn Napp on Jan. 13, 2016.

Arlene lived every moment and had a smile that lit up the world. She will be remembered for her compassion, intelligence, generosity, adventurous spirit and beauty. She exhibited care and kindness to others, most notably her immediate family who adored her. Fun, spontaneous, passionate for life and filled with love and compassion, Arlene made friends easily and openly. She shared her experiences and beliefs, which made people feel important and loved. With her dark brown eyes and laughter that came quickly and easily, it was extremely enjoyable to be near her.

Born Sept. 5, 1934, to Arthur and Mildred Anhorn in Austin, Minnesota, she was raised in Austin, Minnesota. Arlene graduated from Austin High School in 1952, received her B.S. degree in education from the University of Minnesota in 1956, and a M.A. in education from State University of New York at Cortland in 1973.

She met her husband, Duane, while in college and they were married on June 30, 1956, in Austin, Minnesota. After their marriage they both taught school in Minnesota and California. In 1959 after her first son was born, Arlene retired from teaching and became a devoted mother, homemaker and wife. She lived with her family in Minnesota, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, and finally in Texas. She easily made lifelong friends everywhere she lived. She returned to teaching first grade in Round Rock, Texas, in 1986 after her children were all in college. Her husband retired from IBM in 1987 and took a position with DEC in Massachusetts, so she resigned her position in Round Rock, Texas. Arlene loved the challenge of working with young children. She knew the value of a college education and insisted on all of her children getting a college degree.

Arlene enjoyed traveling throughout the United States with her husband and family. After she and her husband became empty-nesters, they enjoyed traveling throughout Europe. Unfortunately she suffered a major stroke in 2007 which put an end to her travels. She suffered numerous health problems after the stroke. It brings us great comfort and relief that Arlene is no longer incapacitated and in pain and enjoying the life she passionately lived prior to her health problems.

The family in mourning includes loving husband Duane; son Brian with wife Sheilah and son Evan Napp of Star, Idaho; daughter Dr. Tracy Napp of St. Cloud, Minnesota; son Bradley with wife Joanna and sons Parker and Hayden Napp of Austin, Texas; son Timothy with wife Patty and son Theodor and daughter Victoria Napp of Houston, Texas. Arlene is also survived by brothers: Donald Anhorn and Ronald Anhorn; sister Janet and her husband Dick Gaughran; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by older brother Robert Anhorn and his wife Audrey Anhorn; and sister-in-law Sumy Anhorn.

A memorial service will be held at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin, Minnesota, on Friday, Jan 22, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be at 9:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Austin, Minnesota.

Visitation will also be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday evening at Cook Walden Funeral Home in Georgetown, Texas. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016, at Christ Lutheran Church, Georgetown, Texas, at 2 p.m. in the afternoon.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.cookwaldendavisfuneralhome.com.