Mary Josephine Seibel

1951 - 2018

Mary Josephine Seibel

Cleveland - Mary Josephine Seibel, 67, passed away on August 21, 2018 wrapped in the loving arms of her family. Mary Jo died in peace after being a warrior for eight months fighting cancer. Mary Jo was born in Sheboygan on June 23, 1951, daughter of the late Mary Jane Phelps and the Late Robert Seibel. Mary attended Elkhart Lake High School graduating in 1969.

Mary Jo was preceded in death by her parents; her grandparents, Ed and Julie Dick, Glenbeulah, WI; Arthur and Mildred Seibel Fond du Lac, WI; her partner, William Fowler, her dear cousin, Michael Dick, and her sweet nephew, Nash Brody Seibel.

Mary Jo was united in marriage to Donald Arndt on April 24, 1971 at St. George Catholic church in Elkhart Lake, WI. Mary Jo and Donald had three children together and lived in Crystal Lake, WI until the time of their divorce in October, 1991.

She is survived by her loving children, Matthew Michael Arndt (Carmen) Plymouth, WI; Donna Marie Meiselwitz (Reid) Cleveland, WI; and Ryan Timothy Arndt (Stephanie) Sheboygan Falls, WI. Her late partner, William Fowler's son, Yancy Fowler. Her ten grandchildren, Chantel Semsch (Dan), Justin Arndt (Bryanna Kulisch), Cassandra Arndt, Christian Meiselwitz (Anna Van Daalwyk), Natalie Meiselwitz, Emma Meiselwitz, Dylan Arndt, Aidan Arndt, Ben Arndt and Liam Arndt. Her four great-grandchildren; Katelyn, Kyra, Kinley and Kaden Semsch. Her loving sister Patty Miller, her brother-in-law, Tim Miller, her brother, Robert Seibel and sister-in-law Robyn Seibel. Mary Jo is further survived by her very close sister-in-law, Monica Arndt, and many cousins, nieces and nephews and dear friends.

Mary Jo grew up in Crystal Lake; spending many a day on the water. In her younger years she was an avid swimmer, water skier and truly loved spending summer days at her grandparent's cottage on Crystal Lake playing with all of her cousins. She was also a talented ice skater. She always said her cousins were like brothers and sisters because they were all so close. She was especially close to her cousin, Michael Dick, who was more like a brother to her; they shared an indescribable bond. Michael preceded her in death in 1992. She named her first-born son after Michael.

In her senior year, she began an apprenticeship study in cosmetology through LTI (currently LTC) where she earned her Associate's degree in Cosmetology. She was a state-licensed Cosmetologist and salon manager for the next 48 years. Mary Jo started working at her mother's salon at age 17. From 1980 to 1990 Mary Jo was owner and operator of Mary Janes Beauty Salon in Plymouth, Wisconsin taking the business over after the passing of her mother. After a fire destroyed her salon in 1990, she went on to open a new salon in Sheboygan called "Express Yourself" salon. She ended her cosmetology career in January 2018 when she became ill. She retired in the Fall of 2017 as owner/operator of "Fremont Flaire" hair salon in Kiel, WI her third and final hair salon. She worked part-time until her illness because her clients were her larger family and she cared for them deeply. Mary Jo always knew she wanted to be a hairdresser just like her beloved mother—and she was gifted in her talent just like her mother.

Mary Jo was a renaissance woman; she dabbled in many forms of artistic expression—she enjoyed music, at the age of forty she asked for a set of bongo drums and learned to play them, she experimented with oil painting (mostly portraits), she created poetry (some of which was published), she loved many genres of music and taught her children about music from an early age. She was a unique soul, and it was not uncommon for Mary Jo to have customers, friends and family call on her for her loving perspective on life. A person could sit in any chair to get their hair done, but when they went to see Mary Jo for their hair, they received much more than a haircut and style. She touched many lives in her 67 years on this earth. Her salon customers were weaved into her larger family and she enjoyed being there for them—given half the chance, Mary Jo would've made an incredible counselor. Mary Jo had a gentle spirit; a guiding light, and expected very little from other people. She never passed judgment on anyone, but was an incredible listener and friend to all. She was dedicated to taking care of her partner, Bill, for many years when his health declined. She guided her best friend, Pamela Williams (Kachelmeier), through her cancer and she was also the caregiver for her own mother during her cancer illness. Mary Jo was a caretaker at heart and sacrificed more than anyone will fully know. Mary Jo never complained about the trials in her life, but used her grief to further help others. Mary Jo was called upon many times to assist when her customers passed away so they could look as beautiful in death as they did in life. She was a giving soul and gave the shirt off her back to anyone in need; she never turned away a customer who couldn't fully pay for services and always found a way to give, and give she did. Her grandchildren could always count on their birthday cards from grandma to come early and the children would anxiously await for their arrival; grandma found joy in hearing about what new toy they purchased with her gift. Mary Jo found enjoyment in spoiling her grandkids every chance she could.

Mary was also a student of life, if you walked into her kitchen there was always NPR radio playing, or Patsy Cline, and her home was filed with family memorabilia and antiques. Her love of blue glass was evident on every windowsill in her house. She had a love for reading, historical film, gardening (she adored blue morning glories) and was an incredible cook. She carried on the traditions of her ancestors as every year she gathered her family to enjoy her sauerbraten meal (which took 3 days to prepare and lot of gingersnaps) and her famous potato dumplings—her love for her family was brought forth through the beautiful meals she made. Mary Jo was happiest when the house was cramped with all the kids and grandkids and she was preparing a meal for them. When she could no longer cook, she would ask "what are you thinking for supper?" and was lucky enough to enjoy the daily meals of her chef-granddaughter, Natalie, who enjoyed creating her grandmother fantastic homemade dishes every day. Since Mary Jo's partner passing in May 2017, Mary Jo traveled and lived life to the fullest with her daughter and her family until the time of her illness. She went to the Outer Banks, North Carolina, she went on many trips to Door County; she enjoyed camping, boating, shopping with her granddaughters, attending wineries with her daughter, and "going out for lunch" with her loved ones was one of her favorite things to do in the past few months.

Mary Jo had an adventurous spirit-she would try anything once. Some highlights of her life were going to Florida on a family vacation and ending up on a trapeze wire in a circus show; she talked frequently about her three weeks of travel in Europe with her daughter-as incredible memories were made during this time. She even became a Reiki Master in her forties—when she studied the ancient spiritual healing techniques of the Japanese. Mary Jo had healing hands. She was always learning something, always trying to figure out the soul-body-mind connection. Her daughter lovingly called her a gypsy soul. People from all walks of life were drawn to Mary Jo.

She spent her last year of life living with her daughter and her family-which allowed her to be cared for- and she enjoyed planting new flowers, listening to the songbirds in the yard, and having the dogs at her feet. She appreciated the simple things in life. Mary Jo appreciated the rhythm of the seasons, and loved living in Wisconsin. She was a devoted Packer fan and welcomed many friends and family into her home to watch packer games.

From her diagnosis of cancer, through the journey of the past eight months-none of it would have been possible to get through if not for the love, support and guidance of so many people who supported her until the very end. First and foremost, her granddaughter, Natalie, she was grandma's angel for the past 8 months—she put her life on hold to be her grandmother's caregiver when Natalie's Mom and Uncles had to return to work. Natalie did absolutely amazing. Her sister, Patty, who lovingly came many mornings to put on Mom's make-up, and just make her feel as much like herself as was possible-Patty provided warmth and love every day. Her sister-in-law, Monica Arndt, who brought Mary Jo years of love and laughter every time she entered the room; thank you for giving of your time to be with Mom at the end. The nursing staff at Aurora Sheboygan Memorial -2nd floor—especially Gretchen. You all are just wonderful souls who mom trusted with her life and whom she appreciated dearly. The entire staff at Aurora Vince Lombardi Cancer clinic- especially Deb Grey and Dr. Chen--you do incredible work every day; you help broken families find the way-you are the light they need. And lastly, to the staff at Sharon Richardson Community Hospice-you helped my Mom and our family in our hour of need. Your facility is incredible—it is healing, it is peaceful, it is important to this community. We are forever thankful my Mom could leave this world with the loving guidance of the nurses and the healing—calming spirit of this facility.

According to Mary Jo's wishes cremation has occurred. A celebration of Mary Jo's life will be held at Rumors, N7454 Summit Rd, Plymouth, WI (Crystal Lake-former Bo Mallies) from 2pm-7pm on Sunday September 2, 2018. Fittingly, Rumors is located across the street from Mary Jo's former homestead where she was raised and where she raised her own children. Please visit www.zimmerfuneralhome.com to sign the guestbook.

In honor of Mary Jo's incredible contribution to the cosmetology world; a memorial is being established in Mary Jo's name to be given annually to a Sheboygan County high school senior entering Cosmetology school.

A way to honor our mother would be to give more than you receive, to love unconditionally and to leave the world better than you found it. So put on some Patsy Cline, remember Mary Jo as a beautiful soul and know she is now in the arms of the angels and our Lord.