Raymond “Ray” Arndt, age 102, of Marion passed away Friday, July 10, 2020 at Aster Assisted Living, Clintonville.
Raymond Milton Arndt was born on November 12, 1917 in the Town of Dupont, Waupaca County, to John and Mary (Gruenstern) Arndt. He graduated from Marion High School in 1935 and was the last living member of his class. Ray was a charter member of the Marion FFA and he worked on a farm in Minnesota for some time. Ray was united in marriage on December 25, 1941 to Violet Smietanski in Ripon. He entered the U.S. Army and was proud to have served in WWII from 1942 – 1946. After the military, the couple took over the home farm in the Town of Dupont and purchased it in 1964 when they also purchased the land on Long Lake Rd. They had three sons: Milton, David, and Gene. Ray and Violet traveled to most of the states in America. They always visited any other towns by the name of Marion and at times looked up other veterans that Ray had met in the service. In the early 1970s, they spent three weeks in Europe and visited countries where he served during the war. His wife Violet preceded him in death on February 13, 2007. Ray was able to go on the Old Glory Honor Flight and because of the generosity of friends, he had a stone placed at The Highground Veterans Memorial Park in Neillsville on April 16, 2016.
While farming, Ray also worked at FWD Corporation in Clintonville and retired in 1979 at the age of 62. He continued to stay busy with projects and active with many community organizations. In 1976, they sold the farm and built a new home on Long Lake Rd. Ray was always interested in preserving history and wanted to donate the log house to the museum. In 1988 he was a founding member of the Marion Area Historical Society and served on the board or as president for all of these years. After the log house was moved, he built another log house to use for a shop and for many years he raised beef cattle. He was always working on a project. Unfortunately, some of the old machinery he had collected and repaired and even the small church that he had built were lost in a fire when lightning struct the barn one summer night. Some of his projects are now at the museum. He made many lawn decorations out of old hay rake teeth. Most of these were donated for the museum fundraisers or given as gifts. He collected old tools which are now displayed in the newest building. Ray spent many hours working at the museum and enjoyed giving tours on the days that it was open to the public. He was involved with obtaining the caboose and the mail car. Ray was looking forward to the new building which will be erected to hold larger machinery.
For many years Ray was an active member of St. John Lutheran Church, First United Methodist Church, and Grace Family Church, all in Marion. Ray was a proud member of the Marion American Legion #198 for over 70 years. He also belonged to the Big Falls VFW Post #8770 and the Manawa DAV Chapter 53. Ray served on the Dupont Insurance Company board for 53 years and as president for 48 years. He also served on the Waupaca County Board for 18 years with most of his time spent on the Aging Committee. Ray was on the Dupont Town Board for many years starting as a clerk and then as chairman. From 1999 to 2009 he was on the Clintonville Area Ambulance board. Last October, he was recognized for being the longest Waupaca County Farm Bureau member continuously for the past 70 years. Ray collected tractors, mostly Allis Chalmers; and for several years he had his tractors in local parades. He was a member of the Fox Valley Two Cylinder Club.
His other interests included hunting, fishing, and camping. He told many stories of deer hunting in northern WI with his brothers and friends. His last deer was harvested at the age of 94. In 1979, he went on a two-week hunting trip in Wyoming and bagged an elk. For many years, the couple along with Violet’s brother Carl and wife June went to Canada on fishing trips. In later years he spent many afternoons bluegill fishing on Long Lake. Ray especially enjoyed going out for breakfast or lunch and visiting with people. He was also an avid reader. He always had a joke to tell and loved playing the harmonica for anyone who was celebrating a birthday. After having an auction at his home Ray lived with his grandson by Gresham for 16 months and then resided at Aster for 16 months as well.
Survivors include one grandson, Clayton (Jolene) Arndt of Gresham, a great-granddaughter, Makena Arndt; and one daughter-in-law, Linda Arndt of Gresham. There is one brother, Donald (Judith) Arndt of Marion, a sister-in-law, Edna Arndt of Clintonville, and a special friend, Tom Young of Marion. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews; many other relatives and friends. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, his wife; three sons, Milton, David, and Gene; a sister Barnette Wagner; and four brothers, Lee Evans, Emil, Rueben, and John Arndt.
Funeral Service will be on Friday, July 17th at 11:00 a.m. at Beil-Didier Funeral Home, Clintonville. Pastor Lois Graper will officiate and burial will be at St. John’s Trinity Cemetery, Town of Dupont. Visitation will be on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until time of service at the funeral home. Military Honors will be provided by members of the Marion American Legion Post #198 and the Big Falls VFW Post #8770. Please go to www.beil-didier.com to sign the online guestbook or to send a card to the family. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Marion Area Historical Society.
The family would like to thank those who picked Ray up for meetings, took him out to eat, and visited with him once he no longer drove. We wish to thank all staff at Aster Assisted Living and the nurses with Compassus Hospice for the compassionate care provided to Ray.