Arlene Fleischer, 97, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Thursday, September 12, 2024, at Brookestone Acres in Columbus.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 9:30 AM, at the Federated Church in Columbus with burial to follow at Roselawn Memorial Cemetery.  The family will greet friends beginning at 9:00 AM prior to the service on the 26th.  The service will be livestreamed on Gass Haney Funeral Home Facebook page beginning at approximately 9:25 AM.  Follow the link attached https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057043736890

Arlene Wittler Fleischer was a trailblazer, a consummate hostess, an accomplished musician, and a teacher. And- she loved to wear gold pumps to the Husker games!

Arlene Minnie Wittler was born February 22, 1927, to Herman and Freda Wittler on a farm between Talmage and Brock, NE. She was the youngest of 3 children. She was baptized and confirmed at the Evangelical and Reformed Church at Talmage, NE. She attended Brock (NE) Consolidated schools and graduated in 1944. They rode the bus daily to school. The seats on the bus were long benches that lined the sides of the bus. When the bus stopped abruptly, all the students slid toward the front of the vehicle on the seat. Arlene talked of going to church services in the family sleigh, pulled by 2 white draft horses while the family covered themselves with quilts and animal hides to keep warm.
She attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, NE, graduating in 3.5 years with a degree in Business.

She was one of the first 25 women tapped to play in the University Marching Band. as a clarinet player. Prior to this time, all band members were male. They received credit hours in ROTC. Their instructor, Don Lentz, played flute in the John Phillip Souza Band. The band practiced from 5 – 6 pm M-W-F. Band members formed up at the Temple before home games and walked to Memorial Stadium. They marched onto the field at halftime but there were no special performances! If the team was lucky enough to win, the band marched down 9th Street to O Street, then on to 10th Street, where they disbanded in front of Gold's Department Store. Arlene talked about hurrying back to her dorm to start work at the answering service by 6 pm. She performed for 4 years with the band and earned one credit hour in Music each year for her participation.

Following graduation, Arlene taught Business classes (most often shorthand and typing) at Louisville, Nebraska City, CE School of Commerce, Omaha Public Schools, and Omaha University (later UNO). A friend told her about a possible secretarial job at Union Pacific Railroad. In the early 1950s, only men were hired to be secretaries as secretaries often traveled with their bosses. Arlene was hired in the transcription pool. She advanced to doing the job of secretary but could not be promoted. She went back to teaching. After 2 years, Union Pacific offered her a job as a secretary, but she still couldn't travel with her boss. Over time, she advanced to become Executive Assistant to William Kenefick, CEO of Union Pacific Corp. Arlene picked up Mr. Kenefick at his home and brought him to work for many years.

While teaching and working, Arlene helped to organize the Omaha Sweet Adeline Chapter and served as their first president. She was an alto singer in the female barbershop group, the Klipper Kords. This group of 4 ladies gave many performances in the Omaha area and competed in musical events in the Midwest, ultimately earning 5th place in international competition. She kept in touch with her group and other singers for many years.

In late summer 1973, Arlene, her parents, sister Merlyn, and brother-in-law, Ray, went to a funeral in South Dakota. They stopped overnight in Yankton, SD. Ray wanted to try the Elks Club for supper. While they were having supper, they struck up a conversation with folks at another table. There was a handsome fellow from Columbus, NE in the group. Over time, Leonard T. Fleischer was making trips to Omaha for dinner with a striking lady, Arlene. They dated for many years. They joined Arlene's nephew, Don, and his wife Kathy, on Don and Kathy's honeymoon. That was the UNL Bowl trip to the 1974 Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. In the Spring of 1979, they married. Arlene quit her job at UP and moved to Columbus to help Leonard and his family at Fleischer Manufacturing Co. In Columbus, Arlene was a member of the Federated Church, GFWC, Women's Fellowship, Daughters of the Nile, PEO Chapter CH (Columbus), and Chapter DN (Lincoln). She was a 55+ year member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

Arlene and Leonard traveled domestically and overseas. They enjoyed hosting family and friends. Arlene always had tasty treats ready for guests and served them on beautiful plates. They had homes in Columbus, Yankton, and Palm Springs area, CA. They were fixtures at home Husker football games with seats on the 40-yard line behind the Husker bench. Leonard passed away on December 13, 1998.

Arlene and her sister, Merlyn, spent many years together in Lincoln, NE, after their husbands' deaths. They traveled to Cathedral City, CA, for the winter, hosting many family and friends and making new friends there. They had many dinners with Morella Larson and Jerry Frieze.
Arlene returned to Lincoln after being injured in a traffic accident in 2016. She lived in Southlake Village and Eastmont Assisted Living for many years. She had many caregivers there, including David Arends, Deb Arends, Don Wittler, Will Wittler, and Kathy Wittler. In August 2022, she moved to Meridian Gardens Assisted Living, Columbus, NE.  Her caregivers in Columbus were Rita Fleischer, Jerry Frieze, Jeanette Johnson, Will Wittler, and Bud Fleischer.

Survivors- Nephew-Don Wittler (Kathy); Niece- Pam Wittler Stichweh (Tom); Nieces- Deb Arends (Layne Nelson) and Connie Arends (Jerry Harrenstein). Stepsons- Leonard Fleischer Jr. (Sandy), Mathew Fleischer (Rita), and Step stepdaughter-in-law Gret Fleischer. Great Nephews and Nieces: Will Wittler (Carrie), Jyl Brown (Ritchie), Kathleen Ousey (Gene), Michael Stichweh (Maggie), Kelsey Arends (Jan Benitez), Darcy Arends (Austin Tompkins) Step grandchildren: Ryan Fleischer, Raquel Fleischer, Sonie Fleischer, Grant Fleischer, Lance Fleischer. Many other family and friends.

Preceded in Death by: Husband- Leonard T. Fleischer; Parents- Herman W and Freda E. Rinne Wittler; Sister- Merlyn Arends (Ray); Brother- LaVern Wittler (Marilyn); Nephews- Dick Arends, Danny Arends, and David Arends; Stepson- William Fleischer (Linda).

Memorials given in her honor will be forwarded to the University of Nebraska Lincoln Marching Band.