Arlene Ann Hicken

With broken hearts the family of Arlene "Lottie" Parker Hicken, 64, announce that she has left her place on Earth, but rejoice in knowing she has gone to be with the Lord. She arrived by His side on September 30th, and reunited with her parents Kay and Hervey Parker, and sister Faye who reached home before her. Arlene will be looking down from heaven on her husband and best friend of 40 years Dennis Hicken of Newnan, GA; their children, son Bradey of Birmingham, AL, and daughter Bree of Newnan, GA; her sister Karen Parker (Dale Smith) of Mesa, AZ; her brothers Jim Parker of Mellen, WI, Jerry (Sal) Parker of Mellen, WI, and Kevin (Barb) Parker of Minneapolis, MN; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Born on June 2, 1949, in Superior, Wisconsin, Arlene graduated from Mellen High School in Mellen, WI. After receiving her teaching certificate she married Dennis Hicken of High Bridge, WI on October 27, 1973. After 9 moves around the United States, Arlene and Dennis settled in Newnan, Georgia in 2001. The couple quickly became beloved boosters of the Georgia Tech Women's Basketball Team, rarely missing a game. In recent years they became part of the self-proclaimed "Breakfast Club" from St. George Catholic Church in Newnan that meets weekly after Mass at Town and Country Restaurant where the waitresses always have the corner booth ready. While living in Astoria, Oregon, Arlene worked as a special needs teacher for children ages five and under. Upon moving back to Wisconsin where she was affectionately nicknamed "Lottie" by her lifelong friends she changed the spelling to "Lahti" as she began a career working in nursing homes as an activities coordinator for Alzheimer’s patients. Lahti loved her work, and her co-workers. She will be remembered as a loving, caring, infectiously friendly woman who loved going to the movies with her husband, dancing, watching sports, meeting her friends for lunch and laughs, giving the neighborhood children Dum-Dum suckers, and supporting her family in all their endeavors...even when that meant learning the rules of hockey to keep up with her daughter and showing an interest in professional wrestling to stay in-tune with her son. Whether she was washing basketball uniforms for Knappa High's "C" team, selling 50/50 tickets at football games, scouting rival teams for her husband, being the door-to-door wake up call for the University of Wisconsin-Superior Softball team, or working the beverage cart at the golf course she was always willing to lend a hand and a smile. From beginning to end Arlene thought of everyone else first, and reminds us all to make sure we have some cash in our pocket, our cellphone, at least half a tank of gas, and call when we get there. Condolences can be expressed online at www.mckoon.com The funeral mass is Friday, October 4, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at St. George Catholic Church with Father Henry Atem officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Arlene's memory to St. George Catholic Church, 771 Roscoe Rd, Newnan, GA 30263; or to Georgia Tech Women's Basketball at GTAA/Women's Basketball, 150 Bobby Dodd Way NW, Atlanta, GA 30332-0455. McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory (770) 253-4580

Arlene Ann Hicken

June 2, 1949 - September 30, 2013