Allene Peebles

PEEBLES, Allene Kay (nee Sedlmayr), age 79, of Oconomowoc passed away peacefully into the arms of Jesus, surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, April 18, 2017. Allene is survived by her loving husband William Peebles of Oconomowoc, children Ross (Lori) Peebles of Rockford, IL, Robb (Jacqueline) Peebles of Cottage Grove with grandchild Isabelle, Ray Peebles of Ixonia, and Renda (Chris) Sivak of Dousman with grandchildren Ella and Will. She is also survived by her brothers Gary Sedlmayr and Jerry Friday of Madison. Allene was preceded in death by her parents Allan and Kathryn Sedlmayr. Allene was born on February 9, 1938 in Waukegan IL. She was raised in Prairie du Chien, WI where she graduated high school as valedictorian and was named Miss Crawford County. She attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, receiving her Master’s degree in home economics and education. Allene met her husband Bill at the university and they married July 9, 1960 in Madison. They lived on the Peebles family farm in Oconomowoc until present where they raised their 4 children. She taught home economics for 7 years at Horicon and Oconomowoc High Schools. Together with her husband Bill, they developed Hidden Meadows condominium-style mobile home park starting in 1970 and later built manufactured homes throughout southeast Wisconsin, with their company, Housing America, where she served as president. They also constructed low-income senior housing and renovated homes into multi-family apartments in the Oconomowoc area. She led a life of service and leadership in her community. Allene has been an active member at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church since 1960, serving in many ways including president of United Methodist Women, Family Ministries leader, Sunday school teacher, church choir, lay leader, Council of Ministries, and she formed an Explorers troop for the church youth. She was active in boy scouts and was the first woman cub master in the area. She was also the first woman state president for the WI Manufactured Housing Association, President of the American Association of University Women, and was the Midwest regional advisor for the Home Economists in Business organization. Allene’s hobbies were spending time with her family, writing, reading, cooking, gardening, sewing, home decorating, singing, dancing, preserving family history, photography and travel. A memorial visitation and service for Allene will be held on Sunday, April 23rd, 2017 at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 800 Lake Drive, Oconomowoc, WI. Visitation is from 1:00 – 3:00 pm, and the memorial service is at 3:00 pm, followed by a celebration supper. Memorials can be given to the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church for youth ministry and education in Allene’s name.