BENEDETT, Arno Alvin "Arnie" 1940-2015

BENEDETT, WISKOW, LIEB, ADKINS

Posted By: K. L. Kittleson
Date: 9/4/2015 at 18:22:11

Arno "Arnie" Benedett

Jul 21, 2015

Biography--

Arno "Arnie" Benedett, 75, of Waterloo, Iowa, died unexpectedly at Lakes Regional Hospital in Spirit Lake, Iowa on Tuesday, July 21, 2015.

Arno Alvin Benedett was born February 15, 1940, in Winona, Minnesota, the son of Walter and Grace Wiskow Benedett. Arnie married Sandra Lieb Adkins on December 21, 1991, in a double ceremony with Mel and Sue at Berea Moravian Church in St. Charles, Minnesota.

Arnie was raised on the family farm near St. Charles, attended Oakview #43 Country School and graduated from St. Charles High School in 1959. He attended vocational school in Winona studying machinist skills and worked briefly at Patterson Quarry in St. Charles. He soon joined the Air Force, received basic training in San Antonio and was stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base, Rapid City, South Dakota. He served from 1962 to 1965. After his discharge, he came to Waterloo, worked for several job shops, then at John Deere for 23 years starting as a machinist and retired as a tool & die maker in 2002.

Retirement gave Arnie more time in his well-equipped home shop. His love for designing and producing items made of metal never wavered. After his stroke more than four years ago his ability was hampered but not his creativity, ideas for improving an item or part, and his planning. He had enjoyed involvement in drag racing, and his special joy was building and driving his '34 Ford Street Rod. He was a member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, always helping around the church, and helping Sandra with the Woman’s Club and Family and Children’s Council projects. Arnie was a kind and considerate person and always willing to help whenever or whoever he could. He kept active and enjoyed bicycle riding and snow skiing.

Survivors include: his wife Sandra; stepdaughter Cynthia (Russ) Gwartney of Owasso, Oklahoma; stepson Maj. Christopher (Sheila) Lieb of Seoul, South Korea; four grandchildren: Brittney Gwartney, Dillon Gwartney, Justin Lieb and Jacob Lieb; his brother and sister-in-law Melvin (Sue) Benedett of St. Charles, MN; and many cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.

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Memorial Services:
10:30 AM, Tuesday, July 28, 2015 at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1024 West 8th St., Waterloo with military rites by Offutt Air Force Base Honor Guard immediately following services.

Cemetery:
Berea Moravian Church Cemetery, St. Charles, MN

Source: Locke Funeral Home website