Ariel Spillner
December 31, 1998 - November 04, 2025
Obituary
In Loving Memory of Ariel Brooke Spillner
December 31, 1998 – November 4, 2025
DEFOREST / MENOMONEE FALLS – The world lost a radiant soul, far too soon, when Ariel Brooke Spillner, age 26, was unexpectedly taken from us on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
Ariel was born on New Year’s Eve in 1998 in Madison, Wisconsin, to James and Hope (Lange) Spillner. She grew up in Windsor and graduated from DeForest High School in 2017, where she was a standout athlete in both soccer and basketball. Her love for sports led her to earn a basketball scholarship to Lake Superior State University before transferring to Clarke University, where she helped lead her team to back-to-back Elite Eight appearances during her junior and senior years.
After earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry, Ariel continued her education at Concordia University Wisconsin, receiving her Master’s degree in Natural Products. She was a proud member of the Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity and was in the final stages of completing her Doctorate in Pharmacy at the time of her passing.
Ariel was also an accomplished 3rd Degree Black Belt with Plumer Karate America, where she and her sister, Courtney, competed in countless tournaments and brought home many trophies. Her determination, discipline, and quiet strength were matched only by her warmth and generosity of spirit.
Those who knew Ariel knew her heart — wide open, full of kindness, and always ready to help anyone in need. She was the person you could call for advice, comfort, or a laugh that could brighten any day. She had a magnetic personality — goofy, genuine, and endlessly loving. Ariel loved spending time with friends and family, hunting every year with her loved ones, camping, watching LeBron James, cheering on the Packers (especially when they won), and competing in March Madness with her family. She was a true Disney adult at heart and dreamed of moving to Florida after graduation to work as a pharmacist, spend her days on the beach, and watch the sunsets she loved so much.
Ariel’s heart also belonged to her beloved dogs, Angel and Kobe. The love she shared with them was something rare and pure. Angel had been by her side for years, and earlier this year Ariel rescued Kobe — instantly forming a deep, unbreakable bond. The trust and compassion those dogs had for her reflected exactly who Ariel was: gentle, patient, and endlessly giving. They were her companions, her comfort, and her joy.
Her nieces, Kayleigh and Addison, were truly her best little friends and the light of her life. She was so proud of both of them and talked about them to anyone who would listen. She called and FaceTimed them constantly, always making sure they knew how much their Auntie “TT” loved them. Their laughter together was one of her favorite sounds in the world.
Ariel’s laugh and smile were infectious, her spirit unstoppable, and her compassion unmatched. She had a gift for bringing people together and making everyone feel seen and loved.
She is survived by her parents, James and Hope Spillner; her sister, Courtney Spillner (Alex Lierman); and her beloved nieces, Kayleigh and Addison. She is further survived by her aunts, uncles, cousins, countless friends, classmates, teammates, and mentors who will forever carry her laughter and light in their hearts. Ariel was preceded in death by her grandparents, Justus and Janice Spillner, and Edward and Marilyn Lange.
Though her time here was heartbreakingly short, Ariel lived fully — with courage, joy, and endless love. Her memory will forever be a beacon for all who were lucky enough to know her.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 7:00PM on Monday, November 10, 2025, at Ryan Funeral Home, 6924 Lake Road, DeForest. A visitation will be held from 4:00PM until time of service on Monday at the funeral home. Be aware that sections on Highway CV, south of the funeral home, are under construction, so be prepared to take an alternative route.
To view her obituary and leave a memory, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com
Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services
Windsor/DeForest Chapel
6924 Lake Road
608-846-4250
Events
Memorial Service
Mon Nov 10, 2025 @ 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM CST
Ryan Funeral Home - DeForest • 6924 Lake Rd, Deforest, WI 53532
Celebration Service
Mon Nov 10, 2025 @ 7:00 PM - 7:30 PM CST
Ryan Funeral Home - DeForest • 6924 Lake Rd, Deforest, WI 53532
Photos
Memories
AW
Alisa Walker
Family •
My dad and Ariel’s dad were best friends growing up. Therefore, I have known Ariel since I was little and we would visit her and her family whenever we would visit Wisconsin. I always looked up to her and her sister, Courtney. Honestly, they are like family to me and I was shocked to hear the passing of Ariel. She was such a kind, sweet, selfless, bubbly, and fun person. She was always there whenever you needed her and she would shine like a light in a room. One specific memory that I remember was her birthday party (16th I believe). It was so much fun and I remember eating spaghetti with our hands. Even though my sister and I were 5-8 years younger than her, she still didn’t mind little kids being at her birthday party. Ariel, Courtney, Jim, and Hope have always been a kind family and I am grateful to know them. I am praying for all of the family members and we will miss Ariel tremendously. This is such a tragic loss, but Ariel will forever be remembered by her wonderful personality and just overall being an amazing person.
DB
Dr. B
Friend •
I did not know or meet Ariel but I work in the School of Business at Concordia and can tell you that her passing has impacted many, even outside the School of Pharmacy. My prayers are with you during this time and please know that Ariel will now see the best sunsets out there and you can think of her with every beautiful sunset. I am so very sorry for your loss. Ariel seemed like a beautiful person who impacted so many.
D
Debbie
Friend •
Jim, Hope, and Courtney, I am so sad and so sorry to hear of the loss of Ariel. May God hold you in his arms and give you strength every day during this difficult time. She was an honest way of sunshine! Her smile so infectious. A beautiful soul inside and out. If there’s anything at all, I can do please let me know. You all are in my prayers. Love and hugs to you all. Debra Elsie Schultz Parrish
JH
Janet Hemauer
Friend •
We’re so sorry for the loss of your sweet Ariel. We pray God gives you strength to get through each day. You raised an amazing soul. She always had a genuine, big smile on her face when we saw her with our children Jackson and Cheyenne through their high school years. She always was having fun and being kind. Life didn’t allow them to see much of each other in recent years, but she remained a true friend. When thanking her for showing up last June to our house to help celebrate, she replied, “Where else would I be?!”. We’re thankful they and others were able to enjoy each other as they once did. Ariel was a light of love in our world, and will forever be honored in our lives. Much love and peace to you, Janet & Mark Hemauer
ED
Emily DeVildet
Classmate •
I met Ariel in college at Clarke University and she was always so kind and so sweet. She had this energy and personality where you wanted to be around her more each time you saw her. She was funny and made me smile on days where I needed it more than she realized. Praying for her family, friends and people who were in her bubble.
DS
Dylan Sherman
Friend •
On October 26th, I went to apple holler (apple orchard) with Ariel. I’m so grateful to have spent her last beautiful days with her almost everyday. If you know Ariel, she loves anything that pertains to this season of the year. We drank apple cider, and bought a bunch of apple goodies from the store. She always wanted to keep each memory, so she insisted on taking photos! She was so happy and sweet, no doubt she is one of a kind. I’m happy to have been able to bring her joy and give her a safe place when she needed, because that’s all she would’ve done for me. I’ve known Ariel for 10 years of my life, and I can’t imagine a life without her.
