Arlene A. Carne

Arlene Adella Carne, also known as Mrs. C. and Bubbles, age 86, of Escanaba, passed away peacefully Tuesday morning, November 3, 2020 at home surrounded by her loving family. She was born March 27, 1934 in Iron River, MI in the green house on the hill to Otto and Irene (Benjamin) Meyer. Arlene grew up in Stambaugh, MI attending St. Peter’s Lutheran Church enjoying music and Bible lessons. She graduated from Stambaugh High School Hilltoppers in 1952 and worked as an AT&T switchboard operator for 8 years. She never missed a class reunion for 68 years. Arlene always enjoyed people, giving hugs, and a good party. The former Arlene Meyer married Willard M. Carne on September 27, 1960 in Niagara, WI and enjoyed a reception at the Hollywood in Spread Eagle, WI. Together, the couple just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

Arlene and Willard moved to Republic, MI where Will taught school and they started their family. They moved to Escanaba in 1968 after Willard opened Carne’s Standard Service in 1967. She was active in the business with Will, doing the daily books, cleaning, planting flowers, and many other activities. The business grew under their leadership changing names and adding services the last 53 years to the present Carne’s ECO Fuels & Bubbles Auto Bath. She loved every person she encountered, saw the good in everyone, and was well-known as Delta County’s Best Hugger. Arlene was a long-time member of Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Escanaba for 52 years, rarely missing a Sunday service. She brought dishes to every event, and was quite often the last one to leave service, visiting/hugging with every person before leaving. Arlene loved her church and prayed for everyone in her meditations each day. She enjoyed having people in her home with Willard, often bringing in sales people and out of town friends unannounced where she would put together a quick meal. Arlene & Willard were famous for many large New Year’s Eve parties, Memorial Day neighbor parties, and many garden parties. Parties were always grassroots and word of mouth, they could have been a small family party to a large New Year’s Eve party, not ending until the evening of January 1.  

She loved cooking and her garden. It started small from a sand pile in the back yard and grew to an amazing flower and vegetable garden after many summers of hard work. She had a lot of “garden” parties, the proceeds filling many bellies with amazing fresh food. Arlene loved her children, grandchildren, and family dearly, taking them on many summer and winter adventures. She was a member of the Real Partners group, the Delta County Chamber of Commerce, the Delta County Ambassadors Club (hardly ever missing a business after hours), and had many close friends she thoroughly loved. 

She was known as Grandma to many people for the love and attention she gave to everyone. Arlene will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and community.

Arlene Adella Carne is survived by her husband, Willard Carne, Sr. of Escanaba; children, Willard (Debbie) Carne, Jr. of Escanaba, Paul (Kim) Carne of Escanaba, Mark Carne of Bonduel, WI, and Linda (Steve) Howes of Escanaba; grandchildren, Michelle Carne, Kristi (Charlie) Pfotenhauer, Erika Carne, Paul Carne, Christer Carne, Nathan Howes, and Connor Howes; great-granddaughter, Marci Arlene Pfotenhauer; sister-in-law, Yvonne Meyer of Iron River, MI; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Arlene was preceded in death by 4 brothers, Otto Meyer, Morris Meyer, Donald Meyer, and Arthur Meyer; and 1 sister, Shirley Stoychoff.

Visitation will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Saturday, November 7, 2020 at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 615 South 30th Street, Escanaba, MI. Funeral services celebrating the life of Arlene will follow at 12:00 p.m., Saturday, with Rev. Paul Doletzky officiating. A live broadcast of Arlene’s funeral service can be viewed publicly at 12:00 p.m., Saturday, on Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church’s Facebook Page. Burial will take place following the services in Lakeview Cemetery. A reception will be held at the conclusion of the graveside services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to the Bay College Foundation for a scholarship to be established in Arlene’s name. 

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