Clarence Arens

Clarence F. Arens, age 77 of Sauk Centre, died peacefully on Wednesday, September 5, 2012 surrounded by his family at the St. Michael's Hospital in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 8 at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. James Statz officiating and Rev. Todd Schneider concelebrating. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery with military honors by the Sauk Centre United Veterans Honor Guard.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre. Parish prayers will be held at 5 p.m. followed by the Knights of Columbus at 6 p.m. Friday evening.

Clarence Frank Arens was born April 9, 1935 in Watkins, Minnesota to Joseph and Mary (Asfeld) Arens. He grew up on the family farm one mile north of Padua. He attended elementary school in Padua and high school in Sauk Centre; graduating in 1951. Clarence served time in Korea while he was in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1960. He married Dorreen Nathe on September 9, 1961 at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Greenwald. The couple farmed on the home farm from 1961 until 2000. After retirement, they moved to Sauk Centre where he worked for Cenex in Elrosa and as a groundskeeper for the Melrose High School.Clarence loved to play cards and spend time with his grandchildren. He will be remembered for his kindness and wonderful smile.

He was a member of Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church, Bishop Busch Council #4863, Knights of Columbus, and the American Legion Post 67.

Survivors include his wife, Dorreen Arens of Sauk Centre; children, Judy (Gary) Olson of St. Cloud, Jane (Robert) Fellerer of Oakdale, Kevin (Jill) Arens of Elk River and Keith (fiancée, Amy Kramer) Arens of Avon; ten grandchildren, Jeremy, Josh and Jordan Olson, Emily and Ellen Fellerer, Derek, Amber and Nathan Arens, and Mara and Jaden Arens; brother and sisters, Wilfred (Doris) Arens of Sauk Centre, Kathleen Nelson of Maple Grove, Ruth Ann (Ed) Zastrow of Sauk Centre and Janet (Clifford) Jennissen of Sauk Centre.

Clarence was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Lucille Minette; brothers-in-law, Bud Minette, Nels Nelson and Ron Meyer; and nephews, Kurt Nathe and David Arens.

Serving as casket bearers will be Derek Arens, Nathan Arens, Jeremy Olson, Josh Olson, Ken Arens and Rick Meyer. Cross bearer will be Amber Arens and scripture bearer will be Emily Fellerer. Honorary bearers will be Tony Jennissen, Ted Kaminski, Andy Becker, Bernard Meyer, Fred Voller, Don Moening, Eugene Jennissen, Bob Schmeising, Don Schlicting and John Dols.