Obituary – Raymond Arens

NORFOLK — Raymond J. Arens, 86, Norfolk, formerly of Bloomfield and Crofton, died Nov. 21, 2007, at the Heritage of Bel Air Nursing Home, Norfolk.
Visitation, with a Vigil Service and Video Tribute, was Nov. 25 at the Wintz Funeral Home, Crofton.
Mass of Christian Burial was Nov. 26 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Crofton, with the Rev. Joseph Broudou and Rev. Tim Lange officiating.
Burial was at the St. Rose of Lima Cemetery, Crofton, with military rites by the Bloomfield American Legion Post #249, the Robert Jessen-David Meirose VFW Post #4996, and the Crofton American Legion Post #128.
Pallbearers were Todd Harris, Kory Arens, Jay Luehrs, Erick Arens, Chad Arens and Kevin Halle.
Raymond was born Aug. 23, 1921, at Crofton, to John W. and Caroline “Lena” (Luft) Arens. He grew up on a farm south of Crofton and attended District 95 School. He entered the U.S. Army Sept. 17, 1942, and his first combat was the Battle of Attu Island off the coast of the Aleutian chain of islands off the coast of Alaska. Before the war was over he went to Kista Island and six months later to Kwajalein, Atoll Island of the Philippines and Okinawa. He went to Korea for disarmament and arrived back home Nov. 28, 1945. Ray married Frances P. Tramp Jan. 7, 1946, at Crofton, and farmed five and one half miles northwest of Crofton for 19 years and then for two years on a farm one half mile northeast of Crofton. In 1967, they bought a house in Crofton. Ray worked for Hesse Implement, Crofton, from 1965-1985. Frances died Oct. 1, 1984, at the age of 62. Ray married Norma Jean (DeLozier) Rose June 21, 1985, at Bloomfield. They lived on a farm west of Bloomfield until moving to Norfolk in 2006. Norma died Dec. 12, 2006. Ray moved to the Meadows, Norfolk, in February 2007.
Ray was a member of the St. Andrews Catholic Church, Bloomfield, and the Bloomfield American Legion Post #249. He was a former member of the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and the Crofton American Legion Post #128.
He loved to visit with his family and friends, play cards, and travel.
Ray is survived by five children and their spouses, Allan and Irma Arens, Crofton; Kenneth and Connie Arens, Branson West, Mo.; DelRae and Steve Luehrs, Branson West, Mo.; Rick and Vonnie Arens, Randolph; and Deborah Halle, Maryville, Tenn.; 13 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; three step children; Richard Rose, Center; Dianna and Keith Eckmann, Niobrara; Kevin and Terri Rose, Alvo; a step son-in-law, Jack Broders, Crofton; 10 step grandchildren, six step great-grandchildren; three sisters, Leona Thunker, Crofton; Viola Reifenrath, Crofton; Eleanor and Sam Nelson, St. Helena; four brothers, Irvin and Barbara Arens, Randolph; Harold and Margaret Arens, Crofton; Gerald Arens, Hartington; Alvin and Sharron Arens, Norfolk; and a sister-in-law, Arlene Arens, Crofton.
He was preceded in death by his parents; both wives; two grandchildren, Jeff Luehrs and Karla Halle; a step daughter-in- law, Susan Broders; and an infant brother, Benjamin Arens; a brother, Clarence Arens; a brother and his wife, Lawrence and Mary Ann Arens; a sister and her husband, Cecelia and Ab Reifenrath; and two brothers-in-law, Ray Thunker and Norbert Reifenrath.