Helen L. Arnett

Madison -- Helen Louise O'Neill Arnett, age 94, died on Wednesday, October 27, 2010. She was born on April 27, 1916 in Packwaukee, Wisconsin to the Rev. Robert B. and Maude E. O'Neill.

Helen's entire life was devoted to the church and to the Lord Jesus Christ whom she served. In her youth she assisted with the music in the Wisconsin churches her father served as pastor. She attended Central State Teacher's College, Stevens Point and taught in one-room rural schools in Wood and Columbia counties. She married Frederick W. Arnett in Randolph, Wisconsin, September 24, 1940, and he preceded her in death in 1981. They resided in Madison since 1943. Helen was employed by the American Society of Agronomy for several years, assisted her husband in their printing/mailing business, and more recently was employed by Print & Mail Advertising and Wells Printing & Digital. She was an accomplished musician and served as organist and choir director of Heritage Congregational Church, Madison, for over 30 years. As a charter member, she was very active in the many Boards and activities of the church. Her hobbies were flower-gardening, the out-of-doors, and crafts, and spent much time each summer at her place near Lyndon Station. Her family was very important in her life and she maintained a deep interest in the lives of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Helen was very proud of her Irish Christian heritage and continued to collect and preserve momentoes and literature regarding her family background, since her father had immigrated from Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland, in 1906. She accompanied him for a return visit to the ""auld sod"" in 1968 and she helped to promote many O'Neill family reunions.

Survivors include her daughter, Barbara (Bob) Johnson of Madison; her son, Steven Arnett of Lyndon Station; her daughter, Denise (Don) Thorpe of Mt. Horeb; her grandchildren, Kristen Arnett, Eric (Catherine) Arnett, David (Brenda) Arnett, Karen (David) Rozic, Shawn (Lori) Johnson, Lisa (David) Holowinski, Pamela Johnson, Timothy Johnson, Hayley Dee Thorpe, Avery Thorpe, Chassidy Thorpe, Ramsey Thorpe; and her great-grandchildren, Michael and Brittney Otis, Kevin and Amber Rozic, Nicholas Arnett, Gabrielle Johnson and Evelyn Holewinski; a sister-in-law, Carol O'Neill; nephews, Terrence (Frances) O'Neill of Gwin, MI and the Rev. Jeffrey (Samantha) O'Neill of Lansing, MI and Robert K. Likes; nieces, Kathleen (Michael) Chitwood of Bartonville, IL and Gina (Richard) Anderson of Peoria, IL; a large extended family and many good friends.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Frederick Arnett; her parents, Robert and Maude O'Neill; a sister, Verla Likes; a brother, the Rev. William R. O'Neill; a daughter-in-law, Teresa Arnett; and a granddaughter, Haleyem Thorpe.

A Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., with a Memorial Service beginning at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, November 6, 2010 at HERITAGE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, 3102 Prairie Road, Madison. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being set up in Helen's name.