Dorothy Arnzen

LEOPOLD, Mo. -- Dorothy Louise Holzum Arnzen, 81, of Leopold, a well-known teacher and longtime resident of Bollinger County, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012, at Saint Francis Medical Center.

Arnzen was born Dec. 25, 1930, in Laflin, Mo., to Leo Herman and Minnie Nenninger Holzum. She married Ervin J. Arnzen Sr. on March 31, 1951. He passed away Oct. 8, 2003.

While raising a family, she served as Cub Scout Den Mother and a 4-H Leader. In addition, she earned a bachelor of science degree in elementary education in 1972 and a master's degree in special education (learning disabilities) in 1977 from Southeast Missouri State University. She achieved her doctorate in educational administration (emphasis adult and continuing education) at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Ill., in 1987.

Arnzen was an associate member of the Alpha Delta Kappa Teachers' Sorority; and for many years was a member of the VFW Auxiliary where she promoted the Voice of Democracy and Patriots' Pen programs. She most recently served on the board of directors of the Senior Citizen Nutrition Center in Marble Hill, Mo.

During her teaching career she taught at Woodland R-4 School in Marble Hill. After earning her doctorate, she was employed by the Missouri Department of Mental Health at the Poplar Bluff Regional Center, and later she was employed by Division of Youth Services in Cape Girardeau where she was instrumental in launching the ECHO Program, an alternative school for the Division of Youth Services. In 1998, she retired as Education Director at Cottonwood Residential Treatment Center, Cape Girardeau. She then implemented the Bollinger County Adult Learning Center and the Bollinger County Alternative School from which she retired in 2007. She has since had an in-home, free tutoring service until shortly before her death. She also taught seventh grade religion classes at St. John's Parish at Leopold for eight years.

Among her numerous awards were the Bollinger County Chamber of Commerce Award in 2005 and the KFVS Heartland Hero Award in February 2012. In November 2010, she was received into the Secular Order of Franciscans.

She was a member of the Castor River Cherokee Tribe and served as peace chief.

Arnzen published three novels and an assortment of poetry and was a member of the Heartland Writers Guild.

She is survived by three daughters, Sharon (Drew) Blanchard of Manchester, Mo., Dorothy (Rick) Green of Whitewater, and Helen (Steven) Thomas of Coral Springs, Fla.; and three sons, Douglas (Lois) Arnzen, Leo (Tammy) Arnzen and Albert (Cindy) Arnzen, all of Leopold. She also is survived by 22 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sons, Ervin J. (Lana) Arnzen Jr., John Arthur Arnzen; one granddaughter, Jessica Jo Arnzen; and one grandson, Taylor Jacob Arnzen.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at St. John Church in Leopold. Parish prayers will be conducted at 7 p.m. by Father William Hennecke.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the church. Father John Harth will be the celebrant. Burial will be at the church cemetery.

Hutchings Funeral Chapel in Marble Hill is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Leopold School District Foundation.