Arvid Neel Krienke

Arvid Neel Krienke, 91, of Elkhart, went to his heavenly home, that he spent his whole life singing about, on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025.

Arvid was born on Jan. 2, 1934, in South Bend to the late Karl and Ruth (Hulme) Krienke. They were faithful members of the South Bend Gospel Tabernacle in South Bend, and as a child, Arvid sang in their family quartet. He also played the piano from an early age.

After graduating from James Whitcomb Riley High School, he went on to work for the United States Postal Service, retiring after 42 years in 1994.

Arvid met Martha (Marty) Fieser at church, and they were married on March 7, 1959, in South Bend, spending 55 beautiful years together before her passing in 2014.

Arvid's lifelong hobby was taking photos, and collecting postcards of skyscrapers; he could tell you all you ever wanted to know about the buildings. He also loved spending time with his family, as well as playing table tennis in various leagues over the years. Arvid was also an interim music director for his church, and he continued to sing in many Gospel quartets, trios, choirs and as a soloist, and in 1986 published an album with The Kings Quartet. But most of all, his love, and faithfulness to God, and family was always his top priority. He was always a kind, humble and soft-spoken man, who demonstrated the love of Jesus Christ to everyone.

Arvid is survived by his children, David Krienke and Tamara (Keith) Springer; his grandchildren, Heather, Sean, Amy, Daniel, Bryan, Lukas, Travis, Cody, Hannah, Abigail and Thomas; 27 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Merwyn (Betty) Krienke.

Arvid was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, his sister Joan Kunde, as well as his daughter-in-law, Deborah Krienke.

Visitation for Arvid will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 6, at the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan St., South Bend. Visitation will also be held from 10 to 11 a.m. on Friday, March 7, at the funeral home. The funeral service will be officiated by Pastor Steve Sumrall, and will begin at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola.

Online condolences to the family may be sent via the Palmer Funeral Homes website at www.palmerfuneral homes.com.