- Date Of Birth: January 12, 1935
- Date Of Death: July 8, 2022
- State: Wisconsin
Ingvar “Ole” Arneson, age 87, of Wisconsin Rapids went peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior in the bright snowy heavens on Friday July 8, 2022, surrounded by his loving family.
Ole was born January 12, 1935 into a household of ski jumping Norwegians in Wisconsin Rapids WI to Ingvar E. Arneson Sr. and Josephine (Barney) Arneson. He married the love of his life Janet Louise (Wendt) on July 2, 1955 at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church. They were blessed with 64 years of marriage filled with growth and adventure together. Raising his 6 children was the highlight of his life.
Ole was an energetic, fun loving conversationalist who never met a stranger. He was a loyal and loving husband, brother, father, grandfather, great grandfather. He held us captive “one on one” (as he famously coined it) in interesting conversations and questions about your life. He quietly shared himself as a father figure to a chosen few, as well. Ole started working at the local paper mill in Wisconsin Rapids where he quickly found it to be unchallenging. He was driven to own a gas station before exiting his high school education as a sophomore. His passion for cars and people were a driving force behind his automotive and later RV businesses. Together with his wife Janet’s guidance, they navigated small businesses in the area successfully.
Ole was known as a ski jumper. He was highly regarded and rewarded by the local business community for his annual fund-raising efforts seeking support for the Tri-Norse Ski Club. His authentic desire to develop the skills of young jumpers was unmeasurable. He was kindly rewarded for his expertise. His qualifications permitted invitations to judge competitions within the Central Division of the United States Ski Association and elsewhere serving junior jumpers for more the 30 years. He was also invited by US Olympic Committee to serve both the Lake Placid 1980 and Salt Lake City 2002 winter Olympic games as an official. Few can challenge the hours of ski jumpers’ flight time he had witnessed in his lifetime. He truly loved developing our youth to fly with skis.
Old cars, particularly those restored to their original condition was a rewarding hobby introducing Ole to the Iola car show and many others shows across the country. Janet, Ole and others in the family enjoyed attending shows and witnessing the surprising level of his understanding on the subject of automotive restoration. He restored more than 8 Hudson automobiles to a high level of perfection.
His leadership style was shared being elected as president of the Wisconsin Rapids Lions Club and the Sons of Norway chapter. He enjoyed his membership to the St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Veterans of the Cross.
The larger world of travel did not go unnoticed by Ole and Janet as they visited Norway, Greece, Caribbean Islands, Alaska, Hawaii, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and many other countries.
Closer to home they enjoyed spirited if not raucous monthly “Card Club” meetings. They played Sheepshead hosted by different “Card Club” friend’s homes for 64 years. We children took away strong lessons of what friendship and fun looked like as we stole glimpses peering from corners of the house supposedly sleeping.
He loved the Packers and his notable Norwegian tolerance to cold earned him an invitation from a friend to the “Ice Bowl” the December 31, 1967 NFL Championships at Lambeau Field where it was only 13 below at game time.
What a cool dad.
Ole’s faith in life sustained him and he shared his Christian faith with all those he met. Ole will be dearly missed.
Ole is survived by his loving children Rick (Shelly) Arneson, Ron (Rhonda) Arneson, Kathi (Al Wooldridge) Groeschel, Randy Arneson, Mark (Robin) Arneson and Shawn (Kimberly) Arneson; his 18 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. Ole is also survived by his brother William “Bill” (Mary Jo) Arneson; sister Beatrice Tork; sister-in-law Judy Arneson; and wife Janet’s siblings Gerald (Marge) Wendt, Sharon Giese and Joan (Dan) Love.
In addition to his parents, Ole was preceded in death by his wife Janet; father-in-law George and Lucille Wendt; his brothers-in-law Roger Giese, John Dove, Gerald Falk, and Daniel Tork, sisters Barbara Dove, Bonnie Falk, Kathy Ruth Arneson, and brothers David Arneson, Korey Arneson.
