Kevin F. Arentz

Kevin Fredrick “Arnie” Arentz, 58, of La Crosse, died on Wednesday, June 19, 2019 at the

Mayo Health System in La Crosse. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, June

25th at 11:00 AM at St. James the Less Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Gate of

Heaven Cemetery in La Crosse. A visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 PM on Monday,

June 24th at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home in La Crosse and from 10:00 AM until service

time on Tuesday at St. James the Less Catholic Church. The honor of pallbearer belongs to

Josh Colburn, Jon Arentz, Matt Korger, Jake Dahlke, Chris Korger, Aaron Sill, Nathan

Korger, Isaac Dahlke, Jeremy Korger and Austin Schroeder. Honorary pallbearer is Dylan

Moore.

Kevin was born on October 22, 1960, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin to Carol and Gary Arentz.

He was baptized and attended St. John and James Catholic Grade School through 8th grade.

He was a 1978 graduate of Logan High School (and proud northsider). He went on to earn

a degree in marketing from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse. He was united in

marriage to Judy (Korger) Arentz on June 6th, 1992.

Most recently he worked at Interior System International where he thoroughly enjoyed

morning trivia (he claimed he won a lot) and Friday donuts. Prior to that, he worked at the

McKesson warehouse on French Island for 33 years where he made many lifelong

friendships. He loved his jobs because of the people he got to work with. Kevin was also a

member of the Army National Guard of Wisconsin and Reserve of the Army from 1982 to

1991.

When he wasn’t working hard, Kevin enjoyed watching TV (Fox News), all different kinds of

movies, Brewer, Badger, and Packer games, reading Louis L’amour westerns, taking his

“grand-dog” Nala for walks through the north side with his wife Judy, snuggling and taking

selfies with the cats, playing cards (and sometimes cheating) with his in-laws, grilling out for

his family, fishing at his family’s cottage, traveling to watch nieces, nephews, great-nieces,

and great-nephews’ sporting events, donating plasma at Bio-Life, going for jogs (he

completed his first 5k in decades last year!), watching Nolan play slow pitch softball (after

he retired from it,) and pretending he wanted to avoid family functions. Kevin was also a

devoted member of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, where he served as an usher for many

years.

Kevin will be most remembered for his amazing sense of humor, ability to pick on anyone

while making them feel loved, endless sarcastic jokes and one-liners, with just enough “pot

stirring” to keep everyone humble. He had a love of ALL food (including someone else’s)

with an infamous serious inquiry “you done with that?” if you were eating his favorites. The

bright blue-eyed smile greeted everyone he met. His contagious laugh followed for his or

your bad jokes, and the proud Arnie laugh came during his zingers, or if someone

complimented his clever sarcasm. His kind heart made everyone feel extremely loved, a

talent that not all sarcastic people share; he knew when people were hurting needing his

tender side.

He was a “true family man.” Kevin was a husband who literally loved his wife “for better or

for worse, in sickness and in health” and understood God’s Word when promised He would

help in difficult times. He was Judy’s best friend and trusted protector as they grew older

together, using his loving humor, loyalty, and leadership to give great security to a

wonderful life they shared. Judy appreciated his hard work ethic to provide for his family,

sometimes working 2 jobs. He really was the best husband.

Kevin accomplished being an incredible father to his children Joelle and Nolan, he was the

best dad ever. He instilled in them the same love of all things humorous, and the love of

their Savior. He made it a priority to attend all Joelle and Nolan’s full schedule of school

events and sports, cheering them and their teammates from grade school into high school.

Their friends happily endured the same teasing sarcasm as his family and friends. Kevin

also opened his home for his family to give special love to Judy’s niece's children Jequella

and Mikey, always having an open door and open heart for them.

He strived to be the best big brother to his siblings, making sure he evenly distributed his

loving and humor in all occasions, helping get through the many difficult ones. He fulfilled

his quest to be the “fun uncle,” and went way over the expected social norm of attendance

for family events. And from co-workers, we heard many times on hospital visits and other

contacts that he will be “greatly missed.” Even the hospital lab person who came to bedside

that used to work at the plasma donation center said: “oh he was our favorite!”

A phrase we keep hearing when people are talking about Kevin is that he was “one of a

kind”. There really is no better phrase to describe him. People like Kevin don’t come around

that often, but when they do, you know your life is better because you know them. We will

miss you Dad, Husband, Big Brother, Uncle Kev, Brother-in-Law, Arn, Arnie, Homer.

Kevin is lovingly survived by his wife Judy, children Joelle and Nolan Arentz of La Crosse,

father Gary Arentz of Onalaska, brother David (Julie) Arentz of West Salem, sister Audrey

(Bob) Moore of La Crosse, sister Cheryl (Don) Colburn of Onalaska. He will also be greatly

missed by his brother-in-law Mike (Vicki) Korger of Chippewa Falls, WI, brother-in-law

Roger Korger of La Crosse, sister-in-law Jeanne (Dennis) Breunig of Middleton, WI,

brother-in-law John (Elizabeth) Korger of Oshkosh, WI, brother-in-law Jerry Korger of La

Crosse, brother-in-law Steve Korger of La Crosse, WI, sister-in-law Janet (Todd) Dahlke of

Marshfield, brother-in-law Tim (Michelle) Korger of Lakeville, MN, brother-in-law Pat (Heidi)

Korger of La Crosse. And his 37 nieces and nephews, with 51 great-nieces and nephews,

which he loved to say “pull my finger” to.

He was preceded in death by his mother Carol Arentz, father and mother-in-law Norbert and

Virginia Korger, sister-in-law Jane Sill, and niece Becky Jo Arentz.

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like

eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” -Isaiah 40:31

Friends may call at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral & Cremation Services of La Crosse on

Monday from 4:00 – 8:00 PM and at the church on Tuesday from 10:00 AM until the time of

services. A Rosary will be recited Monday evening at 6:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials

may be given to Mt. Calvary Ev. Lutheran Church and School, Luther High School,

the Boys and Girls Club of Greater La Crosse, as well as

encourage others to donate blood and plasma, and to please help a family in need.

The family wishes to extend the appreciation of excellent response and care to the first

responder teams, especially the La Crosse Fire Department. Further gratitude is extended

to all the staff of Mayo Health System who lifted us up and took great care of dad during his

ICU stay. Kevin would have wanted the perfect combination of facts and compassion that

was given, just like he gave to others.