Dresdner, Arletter
Arlette Dresdner, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and Holocaust survivor passed away on Saturday, March 2, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones. Arlette was born on July 5, 1937, to André and Jules Strauss in Altkirch, France. As the daughter of French and German Jews, her formative years were stained with tragedy as the Nazi invasion of France in 1940 forced her and her parents into hiding. She was often separated from her father during these difficult years as they sought refuge across the French countryside. After the war, they made contact with family in the United States and emigrated to Chicago in 1948. Her father established a dairy cattle dealership in Harvard, Illinois where Arlette spent her teenage years. She attended the University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign for two years, before dropping out to care for her ailing mother.
Arlette’s life forever changed on June 26, 1960, when she married Ben-Ami Dresdner, the love of her life and her constant companion for the next 50 years. Together they raised two children, Denise and David, in Chicago and spent all their vacations on the family farm. In 1996, Arlette and Ben-Ami followed Denise to Santa Fe, New Mexico where they built a house next door and found a spot in the local art community. She relished spending time with her beloved grandchildren who could run across the arroyo between the two houses. She loved reading, going to the library, baking, playing scrabble, completing crossword puzzles, and regularly tuning in to Jeopardy. Arlette’s love of words and books was only exceeded by her innate curiosity, love of conversation, and interest in people. While the horrors of the war left an indelible mark on Arlette, they instilled a sense of strength, determination, and fight that she held onto until her last days and which she passed down to her family.
Arlette is survived by her children Denise (Dan) Miller, David (Patti) Dresdner; her 7 grandchildren Carson, Jackson, and Harrison Miller, and Hannah, Alex, Claudia, and Danielle Dresdner; her nephews David (Susan Shimmin) Tekler, and Michael (Freddie Levin) Tekler; and Dr. Myron and Judy Miller.
The family would like to thank her trusted caregiver and dear friend LeAnn Abeyta Baca for helping to make Arlette’s last 7 years full of love, laughter, and stable support. Additionally, the family sends thanks to her other caregivers and doctors, especially Dr. Marcellin Simard.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Vista Grande Public Library in Santa Fe, NM. In her memory, please read a book, play a game of scrabble, and per some of her final words, “vote!”