Isobel Arntsen, 95

Isobel Arntsen died at home on March 7, 2014 at the age of 95.  A resident of the Washington area since 1946, she lived in Fairfax, Virginia with her daughter Andrea Arntsen.

The former Isobel Heiges of Harrisburg, PA attended John Harris High School in Harrisburg, and the University of Alabama where she received a teaching degree in romance languages.  There Isobel was a member of Alpha Kappa Delta honorary sociology sorority, Gamma Delta social sorority, and several language clubs.  While at the university, she met her husband, Thomas Arntsen, at the Lutheran Center.  After his graduation, Mr. Arntsen accepted a position as an aeronautical engineer with Glenn L. Martin Aircraft Co. in Baltimore where the couple married and lived for a short time.                 

Then began their trek around the country.  Wherever Mr. Arntsen’s skill as an engineer was needed, they relocated:  Maryland, New Jersey, Indiana, Missouri, Kansas, and California.  After World War II, Isobel and Tom settled in Arlington, VA, where Tom accepted a position with the Federal Aviation Agency.   Isobel was busy raising two daughters.

Isobel was active in all facets of volunteer work from PTA, Brownies, Girl Scouts, Eastern Star, Meals on Wheels, to church activities including ladies circle and Bible school. She was President of the Westover Woman’s Club in Arlington and the Hospitality Club of Northern Virginia.

Isobel with her family enjoyed the ocean and loved being at her second home in Ocean View near Bethany Beach, DE.

Survivors include her two daughters, Dr. Andrea Arntsen of Fairfax, VA, and Kristina Weimer and her husband, John, of Greensburg, PA.  She was extremely proud of her two grandsons, John Weimer of Harrisburg, PA, and Kris Weimer of Brunswick, GA.  She was very close to her three nieces:  Jacqueline Mawhinney of St. Augustine, FL, Linda Kostinden of West Chester, PA, and Karen Stafford of Harrington, DE.

On May 21, a visitation will be held at Resurrection Evangelical Lutheran Church, 6201 N. Washington Blvd., Arlington, VA 22205 from 9:30-10:30am, followed by a memorial service at 10:30 and a repast afterwards in the Parish Hall.  That afternoon Isobel will be buried with her husband at Arlington National Cemetery at 2:00 with family and friends gathering at 1:30 at Arlington's administration building. 

In lieu of  flowers, donations can be made to Resurrection Evangelical Lutheran Church, 6201 Washington Blvd, Arlington, VA 22205; Capital Caring, 2900 Telestar Court, Falls Church, VA 22042; or the charity of your choice.