Arlana Kay Schultz

Arlana Kay Schultz passed away on September 29, 2023 surrounded by love.

She was born on June 16, 1961 in Madison to Helmut “Bud” and Arlene (Miller) Widmann, joining her siblings Helene and Harlan.

At age five months, her mother passed from cancer, and the family relocated to the Monona Bay area to be nurtured and raised by her paternal grandmother, Barbara Widmann, for several years.

Living in the Vilas neighborhood (Drake and Erin Streets), Arlana attended St. James school and was a 1979 graduate of West High School. She earned a B.S. of Nursing from UW-Madison in 1983.

She met Steve Schultz when they were attendants in a wedding while in college and always claimed that she married “The Best Man” on July 14, 1984.

Arlana began her nursing career at Stoughton Hospital in the OB department, welcoming new life into the world. In 1986, she took a position in the OR at MGH (Meriter) and found her niche. She would work in several of their outpatient surgical settings (MASCI and MSC) over a more than 30 year nursing career. She felt privileged to be a part of very talented and caring teams. Arlana made many lifelong friends with whom she created memories and shared laughs, and she greatly valued their support.

Above all, her children, Cole and Kara, were the greatest joys of her life. They filled her life with so much love, and being their Mom was truly the best part of her life. She was so proud of the amazing adults they have become and considered them her biggest gifts in life. Her love for them was deep. Cole and Kara were raised with much love and laughter and have plenty of family tales to tell.

Arlana was “allegedly” behind many pranks but would deny them all. However, she does regret a partial house flooding, an accidental tree fire, and literally scaring the crap out of a dog (sorry, Leonard!). She would also like to confess to the Christmas Treeing episode of 2012 (sorry, Harlan and Ellen!). If anyone ever dusts for prints, there may be more confessions due.

She loved nature, especially camping in and exploring 57 different National Parks. She had a special love of dogs, various crafts, lakes and oceans, Blue Spring State Park, pizza, Almond Joys, and music of all kinds. Especially Cher, who she almost saw…twice!

Every act of kindness- however big or small- mattered to Arlana and her family. You don’t get through a cancer diagnosis alone and there have been many family members, friends, neighbors, and co-workers who have provided support and amusement during her breast cancer journey. Special thanks to Amye Tevaarwerk MD, oncologist extraordinaire, for her compassionate care. Special love to the Burno Clan and the “Hood” family: Mayor Don, St. Rose, The (Ex) Italians, and her goddog Lexi (Doodle) and her family. Neighbors from the heart.

Arlana is survived by her husband, Steve; son, Cole (grand-dog Sal!); daughter, Kara; sister, Helene (Jerry) Iverson; brother, Harlan (Ellen) Widmann; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her parents Helmut and Arlene (Miller) Widmann and step-mother Virginia (Gyte) Widmann.

A memorial gathering will take place on Monday, October 9, 2023 from 5:00-7:00PM at Winn-Cress Funeral Home, 5785 Highway Q in Waunakee. A memorial service will take place the following day at 11:00AM at the funeral home. A luncheon will immediately follow at Rex’s Innkeeper.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Carbone Cancer Center directed toward metastatic breast cancer research in Arlana’s honor.

https://give.wiscmedicine.org/ArlanaSchultz