Arthur Knute Lein was born in the family home on Fremont Street and lived his whole life on Fremont until debility necessitated the move to Fairhaven where he spent several years eventually being joined by his wife whom he referred to as my Marvelous Mary. He attended school in Whitewater and attended UWW where he eventually received a BA after a couple year hiatus to serve in the US Army. He trained with the 10th mountain division in Colorado. The war ended when he was getting ready to ship out so that was very fortunate or I might not be here. He was very proud of his service and being a veteran. He met Mom at UWW and they married in 1953. Eric, my deceased brother and I, Kevin were their children. I am the last branch of the family tree, the last of the Mohicans. Dad always introduced himself to people as “I’m Art Lein from Whitewater, Wisconsin.” He loved Whitewater and all things Wisconsin. He was a huge fan of UWW and Badger sports. All Wisconsin sports. I remember watching many Packer games with him.
Dad opened up a clothing store in the late 50’s and closed it in 1979 to sell clothing in WI and MI for many years until he retired. He was very involved in community/civic events over his life. He and Mom attended countless Warhawk games and he was on the Hall of Fame Board at UWW for many years. He was eventually inducted into the hall with a Distinguished Service Award for his years of serving and promoting Warhawk sports and UWW. He and couple of friends started the Quarterback Club to help promote the Warhawk football teams and his friend Perk, the longtime coach. He and countless friends spearheaded the drive to open Perkins Stadium in the early 70’s. Service included Zoning commission for Whitewater and Walworth county board member as well. He was head usher at the Congregational Church for 40 plus years although he was known to ditch the sermon to go eat cookies in the basement of the church. He was on the board of the Commercial Bank for many years with his lifelong friend Dave Kachel. He was a member of the Legion post for many years and was vice commander in his final years with them.
Dad was a jovial and gregarious man who always had a smile on his face. He loved going to coffee klatsch every day with a bunch of the local men so they could discuss current events and figure out solutions, with a lot of jokes and ribbing thrown in. He put a Bush senior for president sticker on Jack Frawley’s (a lifelong Democrat) car. Jack didn’t notice for a couple of days until someone asked him if he went over to the other side. Those were the days when things weren’t so divided and people so sensitive. He loved to pull jokes and pranks on his other friends as well. Too many to list.
Dad was a very kind and decent man of the greater generation. He made many lifelong friends in his time on earth. He was a true gentleman. He will be greatly missed by the many he knew and touched. He’s in heaven now with Mom.
I would like to extend my appreciation to Fairhaven for their wonderful care of Dad these last years. They have very special people working there. Also a shout out for Rainbow Hospice who were involved in his care as well of that of my mom and brother in the past. They have some wonderful staff as well.
There will be a celebration of life this summer for anyone that knew him or Mom which I will get posted when I get things nailed down. Their bodies are at UWM for medical research so there will be no burial services for some time until I get their remains. He and Mom will be interred together at the Veterans cemetery in Union Grove at a future date.
