Arlene M. Vlahos

Arlene was born to William and Aune (Haataja) Korsman on May 8, 1944, at Grand View Hospital in Bessemer Township. She graduated from Ewen High School in 1962 and earned a BS in Business Education from Northern Michigan University in 1966, followed by a master’s degree in 1976.

She taught Business Education at Watersmeet School from 1966-67 and at Ewen-Trout Creek Schools from 1967 until she retired in 2000. After retiring, Arlene stayed active by serving as the Business Manager for SONCO Ambulance, teaching accounting at Gogebic Community College, and serving on the board of directors for Settlers Federal Credit Union.

On July 30, 1966, she married James D. Vlahos in Bruce Crossing at Bethany Lutheran Church where she was a long-standing member and active in the Ladies Aid and teaching Sunday school.

Arlene was a kind, loving and generous person who lived to serve; always willing to lend a helping hand to her family, friends and community. She participated in various community organizations, including the Bruce Crossing Fourth of July Committee and the Trout Creek Mill Pond Restoration Committee. Additionally, she served on the Michigan Business Education Association (MBEA) Board of Directors in roles such as Regional Representative, Secretary, and President in 1999. In 2000, she received the MBEA Distinguished Service Award for her leadership and dedicated service.

Arlene cherished time at her family cabin on Beaton’s Lake where she learned to water ski as a kid. She enjoyed coffee with friends, tending to her plants, and reading a book on the occasional ‘snow day’. Most of all, Arlene valued her time spent with her grandchildren. She loved to babysit, bake cookies, and care for them. As they grew older, she delighted in taking them on excursions out of town.

Arlene is survived by her children J. David (Kristie) Vlahos of Houghton and Jeffrey D. (Trudy) Vlahos of Marquette; brother Arthur Korsman; grandchildren Ashley Newhouse, Nicholas Vlahos, Megan (Robbie) Dubisky, and Ryan Vlahos; and great-grandchild Micah Dubisky.

Arlene is preceded in death by her husband, Jim Vlahos and her parents, William and Aune Korsman.

Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m. on Thursday, March 13, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Bruce Crossing with the Rev. Thomas Welch officiating. Visitation will be at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. A private burial service will take place in the spring at Hillside Cemetery in Bruce Crossing. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Cane Funeral Home.

The family kindly requests that those who wish to express their sympathy, including flowers, consider donating to the Bruce Crossing Fire Department, Henry A. Holappa VFW Post 9345 in Bruce Crossing, or Bethany Lutheran Church.