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Joseph Arens

joseph arens

November 1, 1959 ~ July 29, 2022

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Joseph Arens, age 62 of Fredericksburg, Iowa died Friday, July 29, 2022, at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in Lacrosse, Wisconsin. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 3, 2022 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Lawler, IA, with Rev. Nick Radloff celebrating the service. Interment will follow at the church cemetery. Friends may greet the family from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 2, 2022 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Lawler, IA. Visitation continues an hour prior to the Mass on Wednesday at the church. For those unable to attend the Mass in person please join the family via Livestream. https://foveo.stream/hugeback-johnson/joseph-arens Live Webcast Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in New Hampton have been entrusted with Joe's arrangements. Joe was born on November 1, 1959 in New Hampton, the son of Eugene and Marjorie (Elenz) Arens, and grew up on the family farm with his six siblings. At an early age, he found a passion for the land and farming, and it remained with him for the rest of his life. He was confirmed at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and attended Turkey Valley Schools, where he played trombone in the band, wrestled and was a member of the Class of 1978. Joe was one of the hardest-working guys you could find; for most of his life, he worked two jobs — farming the family homestead and raising cattle and pigs while also working for Don Kurtenbach at CASH Inc. — starting at the age of 14 — for 20 years before accepting a position at TriMark. But as hard as Joe worked, he really made his mark in life with his family. He was united in marriage with Diane Havlik Arens on September 12, 1987. They had three children — Emily, Samantha and Joshua. After Diane’s passing, Joe’s family was joined with Branda Hayen-Arens and Joe gained three sons — Hunter, Lane and Lewey. He never missed a sporting event of his six children, and he loved spending time with them. He was a giver who taught them the value of hard work and always being there for others. When Joe was employed by the Kurtenbachs, he did more than just work for them, he was like a member of the family and taught Don’s kids how to drive. Joe planted deep roots in Northeast Iowa, where he lived his entire life raising his family and tending to the land and animals. He spent much of his time outdoors farming, hunting, fishing, and camping. He also enjoyed gardening. He was a great father but an even better grandpa to his four grandchildren. He loved spending time with them, and he loved spoiling them. A fierce friend and devoted father/grandfather, Joe always put others before himself and was the life of the party. He will be remembered as the life of the party — a man who had a quick wit, playful sense of humor, a cheerful laugh and a contagious smile — and he will be dearly missed by all those who were lucky enough to know him. Joe is survived by his wife Branda Arens of Fredericksburg, IA; two daughters, Emily (Adam) Heidinger of Mt. Vernon, SD, Samantha (Travis) Holm of Tripoli, IA; four sons, Josh (Sarah) Arens of Des Moines, IA, Hunter (Molly) Arens of Waterloo, IA, Lane (Alyssa) Arens of Fredericksburg, IA, Lewis Arens of Fredericksburg, IA; four grandchildren with one on the way, Lily Holm, Lucy Holm, Lavonne Heidinger, Sawyer Heidinger, Baby H; mother, Marjorie Arens of Lawler, IA; one brother, Lou (Kristi) Arens of Cape Carol, FL; four sisters, Sandy (Bill) Hall of Medford, WI, Susie (Mark) Stagg of Cottage Grove, MN, Jean (Jeff) Wick of Elgin, MN; Amy Arens of Lawler, IA; father-in-law, Clyde Hayen of New Hampton, IA; mother-in-law, Barb Havlik of New Hampton, IA. He was preceded in death by his wife, Diane Arens in 2005; father, Eugene Arens in 2002; one sister, Alice Arens in 2009; mother-in-law, Cheryl Hayen in 2020; father-in-law Jim Havlik in 2003.

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  7. So sorry to hear this. We always enjoyed running into Joe and chatting. 😢 Sympathies to all of you.

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  31. So incredibly sad. Prayers for Joe and the Arens family. A good fella from the TV Class of 78 ♥️. RIP

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  34. So sorry for your loss! Sending prayers and hugs to you and your family! Enjoyed working with Joe!

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  36. Deepest Condolences to the Arens family. Our dad’s worked together at the Lawler Hardware store and our family was deeply affected when his dad passed away unexpectedly years ago. My mom and his mom were great friends and the rest of his family were just as nice as their parents. Good Iowa stock and a pleasure to know them all.

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  50. OH, …… So very sorry to hear this. He was a great guy. My sympathies to the entire Arens family.

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  52. Oh I am heartbroken!! Sending prayers to you all!! Loved sitting by him at sporting events!!!

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  54. Our deepest sympathy on your loss of Joe ! Our thoughts & prayers are with you all ! 🙏

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  57. Omg im sorry for your loss Branda Hayen-Arens sending you and family love and hugs and comfort

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  59. I am so sorry to hear this sad news! Rest in peace Joe, my sympathy to the Arens family. Gina Jirak

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  70. To Joe’s Family So very Sorry for your loss Thoughts & Prayers 🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️❤️ Don & Ruth Rowe

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  92. So very sorry for your loss! You are all in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Dena and Zac Palmer and Dean Speicher

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  103. Branda & family: Sending our sincere condolences & hugs to you all. We will be keeping you all in our thoughts & prayers. Let the memories you have shared with Joe bring you comfort in the difficult days ahead. With sympathy, the Heits

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  108. We are so sorry to hear, we will miss his sense of humor. Our thoughts and prayers are with Joe’s family. John and Cathy

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  118. Our deepest sympathies to Joe’s family and friends. Growing up Joe was on our bus route and we were in band together. Rest In Peace Joe.

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  130. Josh, Sarah and family, we are all thinking of you during this time. Sending thoughts and prayers of comfort.

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  134. Dave and I send the family our sympathy for your great loss. Sam and Josh, remember all the wonderful memories and hold them in your heart. Haven’t seen you Sam for a long time but I remember all the times at Kelly’s place when we visited and you were wonderful. Josh and Sarah haven’t seen you both for a while but I do hear about you thru Levi and Kelly often. We send our thoughts and prayers of comfort to all the family.

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  135. To the Arens family: So sorry for the loss of your loved one. Praying you all find peace and comfort in the days ahead. Carrie Zweibohmer, David and Hayley

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  136. Emily, Sam, and Josh- I’m so very sorry that you’ve lost your dad. It’s been quite some time since I’ve seen any of you, but I remember you all so well. Sending you hugs and prayers. Marilyn O’Day

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  138. So sorry to hear this news. Condolences to the entire family. What a beautifully written obituary. Much love cousin.

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