Ronald Arndt

Ronald Lawrence Arndt, age 79, entered eternal life in Jesus on February 2, 2024. Ron was born on May 18, 1944, to the late Lawrence and Esther (Wrensch) Arndt. He was baptized July 2, 1944, at St John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Woodville. Ron and the love of his life, Mary (Vanden Heuvel) were married on September 18, 1967, and enjoyed 56 years together. They were blessed with two beautiful daughters, Lori and Lisa, and precious grandchildren: Caleb, Kennedy, Anna, and Riley as well as step-grandchildren: Jordan, Emily, Levi, Haley and Maddie.

Ron attended Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Grade School and graduated from Fox Valley Lutheran High School in 1962. He also attended Fox Valley Technical College and graduated with a business degree in accounting.

Ron was employed for 32 years at Thrivent (AAL). He served as Manager of Distribution Services and as Systems Specialist. After retirement in 1996, he worked for eight years part-time for Automotive Supply in Kaukauna.

Ron proudly served his country from 1964-1970 with the 395th Ordnance Company in the Army Reserve. He was a member of the American Legion Post 41 of Kaukauna and was honored to be able to pay tribute to veterans of this great country at Military Honors funerals as a member of the rifle squad.

Ron enjoyed working on cars, especially his 1966 Corvair. He and Mary made many special friends as members of the North East Wisconsin Corvair Club (NEWCC) which he helped organize in 1980. Ron and Mary were also members of the Corvair Society of America (CORSA) since 1972. Their vacations to CORSA conventions took them around the country where they enjoyed the sights and friendships of many CORSA members.

Ron loved his grandchildren and enjoyed attending their sports, musical, and academic activities throughout their school years. He also enjoyed model trains, had an extensive layout, and spent time running trains on a regular basis with his "co-engineer" Lyle. Travel to many states was enjoyed by Ron and Mary as members of the Lionel Collectors Club of America (LCCA). He also loved animals, especially the beautiful cats they owned and enjoyed feeding the wildlife that frequented their backyard. He also enjoyed keeping his yard looking neat and being a handyman for things that needed fixing.

Ron is survived by his wife Mary, daughters Lori (Rev. Rik) Krahn (Caleb, Anna, Jordan, Emily, and Levi), and Lisa (Craig) Schmitz (Kennedy, Riley, Haley, and Maddie); sisters-in-law Roseann Deltour, Pat Chrudinsky, Kathleen (Carl) Kroes, Irene (Dave) Kroes, Deb (Ken) Maynard; brothers-in-law Lyle (special friend Joann) Vanden Heuvel, Ron (Patti) Vanden Heuvel, and sister-in-law Betty Vanden Heuvel.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents Lawrence and Esther Arndt; sister Carol, father and mother-in-law John and Anna (Kemkes) Vanden Heuvel; and brothers-in-law: Marvin Vanden Heuvel, George Deltour and Frank Chrudinsky.

A funeral service will take place on Friday February 9, 2024, at 12:00pm at St John Lutheran Church, N9125 Military Road, Kaukauna; friends and family may gather at the church from 9:00am until the start of the service. Ron will be buried at St John Cemetery following military honors after the service.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Fox Valley Lutheran High School or Manitowoc Lutheran High School in Ron’s memory.

For additional information or to share a story, please see Ron's page at wichmannfuneralhomes.com