Mark W. Arndt, 92, formerly of Augusta, died peacefully and unexpectedly at home on the cattle ranch during the early morning hours of Thursday, September 12, 2019, with Maxine his loving wife of 58 years at his side. His daughter Paula and husband Ronald Sobotta were also present with Grandson James and his life Partner Amanda Dyg and their daughter Aubrey Lynn Cullen, great granddaughter to Mark and Maxine.
Mark Wolfgang Arndt was born November 2, 1926, on the family farm in Bridge Creek Township, rural Augusta. He was the son of Alvin and Amalia “Mollie” (Wolfgang) Arndt. Mark attended the Dells Country School and graduated from Augusta High School in 1945. He was a life long baptized and confirmed member of Grace Lutheran Church in Augusta. As a young man and after his graduation, Mark farmed with his parents and enjoyed working through out the area farming community during the planting and harvesting season. Mark was united in marriage to Maxine Johnson on May 27, 1961, at Grace Lutheran Church in Augusta. The couple lived briefly in Eau Claire before returning to Augusta, where they raised their 2 daughters. After his marriage Mark was employed by Eau Claire County and worked until his retirement on the road crew. For the past 3 and half years Mark and Maxine had made their home with their daughter Paula and her husband Ron on the Sobotta cattle ranch in rural Whitehall. Marked loved the outdoors and never minded cutting wood as he had always heated the family home with wood. Every year he planted an abundant garden and during the summer and fall always ventured out with his family to pick berries. He looked forward to the annual deer hunts and fishing in his jon boat with his favorite rod and reel. All of his life he loved animals, especially horses and cats. Up until his passing, he daily walked down the driveway along side the horse pasture to collect the mail. He never missed a day to stop to chat and feed the horses one of their favorite treats and was equally attentive to the farm and house cats. When his heath limited his ability to partake in most of his favorite pastimes, he found much enjoyment and solitude when reading Western novels.
Mark will be dearly missed by Maxine, his loving and devoted wife; 2 daughter, Paula and Ronald Sobotta of Whitehall, Brenda Cullen of Houlton; grandson, James Cullen and Amanda Dyg and their daughter Aubrey all of New Richmond; sister-in-law, Dorothy Arndt of Augusta; and special friends, Andrew, Hannah, Rebekah and Benjamin Ritter that affectionately call Mark “Grandpa.”
Mark was preceded in death by his father Alvin in 1969; his mother Mollie in 1981; 2 infant sisters; 2 brothers, Donald Arndt and Gerald “Gary” and Adeline Arndt; and 2 premature sons.
A visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 16, 2019 at Grace Lutheran Church in Augusta, where funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday with Pastor
Jonathan Wessel officiating.
Burial will be in the East Lawn Cemetery in Augusta.
The family is assisted by the Anderson Funeral Home in Augusta.