Pete Arensberg

Peter M. Arensberg, age 90, of Atchison, KS, died peacefully on July 6, 2024, at St. Luke’s Hospice House. 

Pete was born on May 13, 1934, in Atchison, KS, the son of Pierre Leo “Jiggs” Arensberg and Mary Louise (Martin) Arensberg. He attended St. Joseph’s Grade School and graduated from Maur Hill Prep in 1952. 

He was united in marriage to Barbara Broderick on February 24, 1960, at St. Patrick Church in Perrin, MO. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; children, Brent (Laura) Arensberg, Brian (Amy) Arensberg, Robert (Christine) Arensberg, Mark (Sue) Arensberg, Cara (Chaney) Cullor; sixteen grandchildren, one great grandchild and his sister, Mary Ann “Sally” Irons. Pete is preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Richard “Dick” Arensberg, sister-in-law, Emma Lou Arensberg, and a brother-in-law, Bill Irons. 

Pete proudly served his country in the United States Army from February 1955 until his honorable discharge in February of 1957. He was a member of St. Joseph Church, now St. Benedict Parish, and a sixty-three-year member of the Sacred Heart Council #723 Knights of Columbus. He was very active in the community, formerly serving on the St. Joseph Parish Council and numerous boards of directors including, Atchison Hospital, Camp St. Maur and League of St. Maur. 

Pete was born, raised, and lived in Atchison his entire life and spent fifty-seven years in the family grocery business until his retirement in 2005.  He touched so many lives along the way. Not a day goes by, it seems, that the family doesn't hear from someone who worked at his grocery store and recalled fondly what a great guy he was. He was opinionated and feisty at times, but you never had to guess where he stood on anything. His last years were difficult, but he always enjoyed time spent with the family, especially his 16 grandchildren.

Pete’s life will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, with a visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. followed by Mass of Christian burial at 11:00 A.M. at St. Joseph Church in Atchison, KS, with Rev. Luke Turner, OSB as celebrant. He will be laid to rest in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. A lunch will be served at St. Joseph Church following the burial. Memorials may be left to St. Benedict Catholic School Endowment or Maur Hill-Mt. Academy. Funeral care has been entrusted to the Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home.