William and Leila Arndt

ARNDT, WERTZ, WEIRT, CROSSETT, JONES

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/22/2015 at 21:34:04

Monona County, Iowa History
1982

William and Leila Arndt, p 97

William Charles Arndt, Jr. was born north of Blencoe, Iowa July 23, 1902. His parents were William Charles and Helena (Lena) Wertz (Weirt) Arndt.

William Arndt Sr. was born in Elliston, Ohio came first to Illinois then to Iowa as an employee of the railroad. Mrs. William Arndt Sr. was born in Esses, Germany and came with her parents to the United States as a child of three years. She married William Arndt April 16, 1900 in Onawa, Iowa. Other children besides William Jr. were Clara Nora (Mrs. Elmer Chapman), Rose (Mrs. Raymond Naden), and Edward William. Mr. Arndt farmed in the Blencoe and Onawa area and in later years did carpenter work.

William Charles Arndt Jr. was married to Miss Leila m. Jones November 28, 1928 at the Congregational Church, Onawa, Iowa. Leila, daughter of Oliver G. and Grace Crossett Jones was born in Onawa Nov. 15, 1910. The Jones family had resided in Carroll, Iowa where Mr. Jones was employed by the railroad.

Leila graduated from the Onawa, Iowa High School in 1928 and was employed in Onawa before her marriage.

Bill and Leila were parents of three children: Maxine Florence who died in infancy, Jean Adele, born November 1, 1933, married Charles Dommer, parents of three daughters Janet (Throckmorton), Cheryl (Kesterson), and Karen (Klein).

Jean received her education in the Blencoe School and graduated from Morningside College, Sioux City, Iowa with a music major. She resides in Ute and teaches vocal music in the Charter Oak-Ute, Iowa School.

Vernon Lester was born September 24, 1935, graduated from Blencoe High School, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, South Dakota and obtained a master’s degree from North West Missouri State, Marysville, Missouri. Vernon married Helen Hanning of Pollock, South Dakota. They are the parents of three children, Darla Rae, Debra Kay, and William Harley. He is a teacher in the California school system where he resides.

The Arndts were long time farmers in the Blencoe community, Bill also did carpenter work during the winter months.

After a long illness, Bill died April 13, 1969. Leila makes her home in Onawa, Iowa at this time.