Robert Ellwood Arneson

Robert Ellwood Arneson, 92 of Chetek peacefully passed away Sunday, December 17, 2017 at his residence, following a stroke he had the previous week.  He was born June 1, 1925 in Chetek, Wisconsin to Enock and Clara (Eckstrom) Arneson.

Bob joined the United States Navy at the age of 17, serving in WWII.  After being honorably discharged, Bob married Dorla Wasko in Pine City, Minnesota July 15, 1950; together they raised their five children.  Bob was a career truck driver at Consolidated Freightways and was a proud 3 million safe miler.  He learned to fly airplanes on the GI Bill after his discharge from the Navy.  Bob loved to take his children flying in his private planes.  At the age of 80, he crossed off one on his bucket list…parachuting from a plane.  After his retirement from driving truck, Bob was the caretaker and on the board of Lake View Cemetery for many years, right up until his passing.  He was a dedicated man.

Bob was a Master Mason with the Chetek Masonic Lodge #227 for 57 years, lifelong member of the Howard-Campbell-Ganske American Legion Post #179 in Chetek, enjoyed his time golfing and having coffee with “the boys”, wood carving, but his greatest passion was to walk his son Steve’s dog Scooby and watch cartoons with him.  Bob was a very giving man, there was not a person he wouldn’t help.  He will be missed by all who knew him, especially Scooby.

Bob is survived by his children; Vicki (Russ) Clemensen of Isanti, MN, Robert (Karen) Arneson of Canyon, MN, Carol Arneson of Almena, WI, Steve Arneson of Chetek, WI, ten grandchildren, fourteen grandchildren, three great great grandchildren, three sisters, Agnes Van Alstein, Joanne U’Ren, Carol Reed and his best buddy Scooby.  He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Dorla “Tiny”; daughter, Lea-Ann “Annie belle” Arneson; brother, Bruce Arneson; Grandson, Russie Clemensen; sister-in-law, Alice Waskey.

The family is honoring Bob’s wishes by having a graveside service for both him and Dorla together at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, June 9, 2018 at Lake View Cemetery, with Military Honors Accorded at this time.  Please join the family for a luncheon and fellowship at the American Legion Post #179 in Chetek following the service.

The Burnham-Ours-Kolstad Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

 Service Information