Bette J. (Asplund) Ariens

Bette J. Ariens, age 90, of Sheboygan passed away Sunday, January 19, 2025 at Aurora St. Luke’s Hospital, Milwaukee following complications from surgery.

She was born in Two Rivers in 1934 to Arvid and Leona Asplund. A graduate of Washington High School, she would later return to college earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Silver Lake College in Manitowoc. Bette was blessed to have had two careers she loved, one as a middle school teacher at Mishicot Public Schools, the other as legal secretary to Cleveland, WI-based, international patent attorney Francis J. Bouda, whom she continued to provide administrative support while teaching. It was “Mr. Bouda” and his dear wife, BJ, who would inspire her to see and experience the world, and that she did. Bette participated in two, months-long, summer teacher enrichment programs at Cambridge University in England and in Australia. Making the most of flying privileges as a result of her son’s commercial airline pilot career, she traversed the U.S., with highlights being a solo stint at a dude ranch in Wyoming and a month-long cat and housesitting experience in Hawaii. She also ventured abroad to Ireland, Spain, Morocco, Portugal, Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, and the island of Bali. When she ceased to roam, her calling was to care for her newborn grandson, Chase, whom she faithfully and joyfully cared for 10 years, experiencing all of the joy of creating adventures and misadventures with a toddler, and eventually relocating to her sunny “perch” on Sheboygan’s South Pier to be closer to her growing grandson. Bette was active in her church, serving as a Sunday School teacher for many years, as well as involved in many organizations and social groups in the Two Rivers area.

Bette was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Maurice (Patricia) Asplund, Spokane, Washington and Lawrence “Buzz” (Glee) Asplund, Clarksville, Indiana; daughter-in-law Katherine Ariens, Houston, Texas; brother-in-law Lloyd Dickenshied, Two Rivers; her niece and nephews.

Survivors include her beloved children and grandchildren, son Jeff (Andrea), Punta Gorda, Florida; daughter Julie (Steve) Mirecki, Sheboygan Falls; grand-and step-grandchildren Chase Mirecki and Alexandra (Chris) Johnson, Cedarburg; step-great grandson Copper Johnson; dear sister Jacque Dickenshied, Two Rivers; special nieces Dale (Pat) O’Donnell, Lindenhurst, IL and Pattie (Alan) Raether, Manitowoc; nephews; great nieces; lifelong “bonus daughter”, Sandee Sprang, Two Rivers; other family and friends; her faithful, Norwich Terrier companion and walking partner, Kobe, and frequent, welcomed canine houseguest Oreo.

In accordance with Bette’s wishes, a private family celebration of life will occur at a later date. Her final wish was to have the many good friends, neighbors, and acquaintances who brought her so much joy remember, not a funeral service, but rather the happy memories made, experiences shared, meals enjoyed, and the lively conversations you engaged in together. She would be most honored if you were to raise a glass, recall an adventure, say a prayer, or simply smile and hold a moment of joy in your heart for your time together.

Memorials may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, Two Rivers, the Sheboygan County Humane Society, or the Katherine Ariens Dog Park, Charlotte Harbor, Florida.

Klein and Stangel Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements and expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting kleinandstangel.com

The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to Dr. Mark Herring and Ann for their exceptional care throughout the years, as well as for their dedication to Bette and her family while navigating a complex medical issue. In addition, sincere gratitude is offered to Dr. Amy Hanna-Salami and her surgical team at St. Luke’s, Milwaukee for a truly miraculous surgery. Lastly, thank you to the nurses, hospitalists, and staff at Aurora Medical Center, Sheboygan County for their attentive and compassionate care.

I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see. -John Burroughs

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