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Arnold Wenger Obituary
August 4, 1931 ? December 1, 2014
Arnold Ralph ?Arnie? Wenger, age 83 of Park Rapids, MN unexpectedly went to be with his Lord Jesus after suffering a brain aneurism in the early morning hours of Monday, December 1, 2014 with his wife at his side at the St. Joseph?s Hospital in Park Rapids.
Arnie was born on August 4, 1931 in Ada, MN to the Rev. Arnold and Thekla (Dierks) Wenger. As a small boy he moved with his family to Lakefield, MN where he attended parochial school through the tenth grade. His father accepted a call to a church in Duluth where Arnie completed high school, graduating from Denfeld High School with the Class of 1949. As a young man, Arnie studied shoe repair and in the early 1950?s opened his own repair shop in Edina, MN. A short time later, Arnie opened a repair shop in Park Rapids and continued repairing and selling shoes in a career that spanned over 40 years. Arnie?s life was made full and complete in his marriage to his soul mate, Nicole ?Nikki? Dwire on February 18, 1962. Arnie was a man of faith who was deeply involved in his church, St. John?s Lutheran in Park Rapids. He loved his church family who all were an important and wonderful part of his life. Arnie was passionate about the out doors. Over the past 50 years, Arnie has planted tens of thousands of trees. He took special pride in nurturing and shaping many beautiful Christmas trees. He enjoyed building trails throughout his tree farm for walking and cross-country skiing. Arnie enjoyed tinkering and repairing all kinds of small engines. Above all, Arnie devoted his life to his Lord and Savior and his precious wife, Nikki.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife for these past 53 years, Nicole ?Nikki? of Park Rapids; his two sisters: Lois Pera of Milwaukee, WI and Sylvia (the Rev. Dr. Alvin) Franzmeier of Spring, Texas; six dearly loved nieces and nephews; as well as many friends.
Arnie was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, David who died in infancy and one brother-in-law, the Reverend Victor Pera.
Memorial services will be held 11 AM Friday, December 5, 2014 at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Park Rapids with the Rev. James Neubauer and the Rev. Timothy Heinecke officiating. The organist will be Sarah Kaufenberg. The soloist will be Michael Poole who will sing, ?The Lord?s Prayer?. Congregational hymns will be: ?What A Friend We Have In Jesus?, ?Blest Be The Tie That Binds?, ?What Child Is This? and ?Joy Above, All Earth?s Rejoicing?. Burial will be made in the Henrietta Cemetery east of Park Rapids, at a later date. Visitation will be held beginning one hour prior to the service. Following the service, a luncheon will be hosted by St. John?s Lutheran Church. To view the video tribute or to leave on line condolences please visit www.jonespearson.com.
Memories and Condolences
for Arnold Wenger
Connie Frisby-Griffin
December 12, 2014
I am so very sorry for your loss of Arne. I have very fun memories of visiting with both of you at the shop. May your precious memories, the love of family and friends and your faith make the difficult time ahead a bit easier. Prayers and hugs to you Nikki.
December 10, 2014
I remember Arnie very well when he opened his shop in Konchok's and we were friends and spent hours horse back riding. He was one of the finest people I've known and he will be missed by all of us.
Tom Jones
Eunice Hafemeister
December 5, 2014
I am sorry to hear of your sudden loss of Arnie. May you feel God's comfort.
Mary Allen
December 4, 2014
Nikki, I'm sure you don't know me personally, but I know who the two of you are and I want to share a childhood memory of Arnie, the shoemaker. When I was very young, 6-14, my brothers and I only got 1 pair of shoes a year, and that was at school time.
When the soles of my shoes were coming apart, I would walk to Arnies Shoe shop and ask him if he could fix my shoes. I don't remember how I paid him, as we did not have an abundance of funds in my family, but I do remember him quitting whatever he was working on, taking my shoe and repairing it as I sat on a bench and waited for him. I also remember when you two were married and hoped that he wouldn't change, he never did, he was just much happier. Arnie was a kind and gentle man and may he RIP and watch over you and all his family and friends from up above with our Lord.
Renee Anderson
December 4, 2014
A gentle soul, an easy smile, a faithful man. Arnie will be greatly missed. He inspired faith and kindness. Hugs, Nikki. Hold tight. We will see him again.
December 4, 2014
Nikki, We were very sad to hear about the passing of Arnie. We are sorry that we can not be there for the funeral but know that you are in our prayers. Take comfort, strength and hope in our Lord. Sending our heartfelt sympathy to you. Joel and Maria Dierks
December 4, 2014
Nikki, I was sad to hear about Arnie's passing. I'm so glad that I was able to see him on Sunday, talk with him and give him a hug. My thoughts & prayers are with you at this time. Sue Ritts-Klosner
Mary Halvorson
December 3, 2014
Nikki and Arnie are examples of faithfulness and unconditional love. I was so very blessed to be one of "their kids", and my three kids also. A t a very difficult time in my life, they were there for my kids and I. I will never forget your loving kindness. Love forever and always. Mary
Pauline
December 3, 2014
Nikki, I'm so sorry for your loss. May you find comfort during this difficult time.
Alan Holk
December 2, 2014
Arnie was indeed one of the kindest soul I have had the pleasure knowing. I will always remember going into the leather shop as a young boy. The smells of the leather and there was that smiling man behind the counter. Nikki, may God grant you all the comfort you need in this hard time. Arnie's body may have died, but his spirit will live on forever in all our hearts.
Alan Holk
Ray & Betty Vaadeland
December 2, 2014
It is so hard to lose such a good friend and mentor. Our heartfelt sympathy and prayers for You, Nikki and Family. He will be so missed.
Ray and Betty
Jay and Marlene Pike
December 1, 2014
Arnie had a genuine interest in all of us, like a dad, grandpa, uncle or at the least..a great friend ! He was a very wise but humble Christian man that my family will miss very much ! There is no doubt he is talking with Jesus right now in heaven !! We thank God for allowing Arnie in our lives all of these years !
Jay, Marlene, Danny, Jena, and Nate
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