Arlene A. (Kunke) Kapella

Arlene A. Kapella (nee Kunke) of Las Vegas, Nevada, age 87, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by love on Wednesday, July 11, 2018.

Arlene is survived by her beloved husband of 45 years, John Kapella; children, Kathie Lepacek, Lee (Bob) Lange, Lawrence (Diane) Lepacek, Phillip Lepacek, Judy (Rory) Watts, Marty (Ginny) Lepacek; grandchildren, Kevin Lange, Matthew, Cara (Bob) Gonsoulin, Jeff, Adam, Laura, Easton, Shelby, Riley and Rachel; great-grandchildren, Elias, Adeline, Mason and Nolan; step children, Lois (William) Sacks, John (Karin) Kapella, Karen (Charles) Spence; 9 step-grandchildren; 15 step-greatgrandchildren; sisters-in-law, Barbara (the late William) Confer, Beverly (Norman) Wetherbee, Carroll (the late Steve) Lakotich and Carol (the late Walter) Kunke; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Helen (nee Kaczmarek) Kunke; brothers, Walter and Victor (the late Dorothy); two sisters, Marcella (the late Chester) and Florence (the late Vitus); and brother-in-law, Steve Lakotich.

Arlene graduated from St. Francis Academy and was employed by Weber’s Ice Cream. She would ride the Blue Bird bus to downtown Chicago to work at Marshall Fields. Arlene also worked at Sears in downtown Joliet, then when it moved to Louis Mall and retired from Sear Robuck in Northridge, CA after the earthquake in 1994.

Arlene and John loved to travel. She loved her family and was the organizer of the family reunion picnics.

Arlene loved her roses, fresh tomatoes and her coffee candy. She loved life and was an easy going lady who never said a bad word about anybody. With the outstanding care of her husband, John; sons, Marty and Lawrence, as well as the rest of the family, together they battled Arlene’s illness alongside her every step of the way, supporting her amazing strength and will to live. Arlene will be dearly missed.

In lieu of flowers, donation in Arlene’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association would be appreciated.

A celebration of Arlene’s life will begin on Saturday, August 4, 2018 with a memorial visitation at Tezak Funeral Home, 1211 Plainfield Road, Joliet from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. A service will be held in the funeral home chapel at 3:00 p.m. Interment of cremated remains to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Joliet.