Arlene Olson (Retzlaff, Ferris) Bridger, 78, died Wednesday, August 29, 2012 at her home in Oconto. Arlene was born September 6, 1933 to Walter and Evelyn (Crane) Olson in Oconto. She graduated from Oconto High School in 1950 and immediately began working at Wisconsin Public Service in Oconto. It was here she met Mahlon J. Retzlaff and they were married in Oconto on June 13, 1953. Four sons were born of this union. On September 18, 1970 Arlene married Jeffrey L. Ferris and together they operated the Ferris Sign Company until his death in an auto accident on September 19, 1983. Arlene then worked for the Oconto County Commission on Aging, Inc., retiring in 1995. On February 13, 1988 she married Clyde Bridger and lived with him until the time of her death. Arlene was well known in the Oconto community and was very well liked by all who knew her. She loved people, pets, singing, gardening, traveling and cooking. She was an accomplished gourmet cook and it was not uncommon for her to have thirty to forty people over for dinner on Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, birthdays or any other reason to celebrate a significant date. Arlene loved her church. She was a lifelong member of the Oconto United Methodist Church where she began singing in the choir at age twelve. She subsequently held many church offices, including church secretary, financial secretary, church treasurer, and choir director, as well as serving on other committees and chairing many church dinners. She also loved to sing in the yearly cantatas at the Methodist Church in Oconto Falls and with the Oconto Ecumenical Choir at religious and patriotic events. Arlene is survived by her husband of 24 years, Clyde Bridger, four sons, Bruce (Kathy Newlun) Retzlaff, Randy (Kim McDonald) Retzlaff, Scott (Bonnie Rockwell) Retzlaff, and David Retzlaff all of Oconto, two step-sons, William (Peggy Scheffen) Bridger, Green Bay; Robert Bridger, St. Cloud, FL; three granddaughters, Jenna Retzlaff (Eric) Osborne, Green Bay; Emily Retzlaff, Oconto, and Anna Retzlaff, Green Bay; three grandsons, Paul, Bradley and Brody Retzlaff all of Oconto and one great granddaughter, Marlee Moes, Oconto. She is further survived by two step-granddaughters, Stephanie (Bridger) Hebel, Briggsville, WI and Amanda (Bridger) Cortez, Madison, WI and by a very special friend Faye Carey, Oconto. Arlene was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, Lester (Jane) Olson, Kenosha, Charles (Pat Girard) Olson, Green Bay, and four year old, Bruce Olson. Friends may call at the Rhodes-Charapata Funeral Home, 121 Chicago St., Oconto Friday, September 7th from 4:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. and Saturday, September 8th at the First United Methodist Church, 640 Washington St. Oconto from 9:00 A.M. until the time of Funeral Services at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Gerhardt Miller officiating. Please visit www.rhodescharapata.com to express online condolences and to view a video tribute. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Unity Hospice for their fantastic care.