Obituary of Arthur Henry Arpke Jr.

Arthur "Art" Henry Arpke Jr., aged 80, of Kaiser, Missouri, passed away on Sunday, September 10, 2023, at Osage Beach Rehabilitation and Care Center in Osage Beach, Missouri.

Art was born on February 18, 1943, in Plymouth, Wisconsin, to parents Arthur Arpke Sr. and Valma (Backus) Arpke. On August 12, 1983, in Girard, Illinois, Art was united in marriage to Linda Darlene Arpke. They shared over 31 years of marriage together until her passing on May 15, 2015.

Art was raised in Waupun, Wisconsin, and graduated from Waupun High School in 1961. He then pursued higher education at the University of Wisconsin, earning his bachelor's degree in social work in 1965. Later, he attended Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Illinois, where he received his Master of Divinity degree. After graduating, he served as a pastor at four different churches in Illinois. Later in his career, he transitioned to work at Lincoln Developmental Center in Illinois until its closure. Art and his wife relocated to Missouri, where he established his own lawn care business and worked at Sugar Creek Miniature Golf.

Art possessed a wide range of interests and hobbies. He found solace in reading his Bible, participating in the church choir, watching movies, listening to music, and sharing laughter through his sense of humor. He was an avid fan of the Wisconsin Badgers and Green Bay Packers, liked going for walks, and enjoyed games such as ping-pong, bingo, and pool.

Art is survived by his sisters-in-law, Kathy Arpke and Marilyn Bray, along with four nieces: Amy Wiedmeyer (Josh), Kimberly Keaveny (Val), Marlene Moshage (Ralph), and Donna Seelbach. He is also survived by four nephews: Joseph Arpke, Robert Dale (Michelle), Peter Dale (Patricia), and Darren Bray (Corina); as well as several great-neices, great-nephews, and friends.

Art is preceded in death by his wife, Darlene Arpke; his parents, Arthur and Valma Arpke; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Edward and Bernice Fricke; his sister, Cynthia Dale; his brother, Stanley Arpke; and his great-nephew, Ryan Bray.

Services to honor the life of Arthur will be held on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at Riverview Baptist Church in Osage Beach, Missouri, at 11:00 am. A visitation will precede the service, running from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. Interment will immediately follow the services and take place at Lake Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Osage Beach, Missouri.