James E. Arends

James E. Arends, 89 of Grand Island, died Monday, August 08, 2016 at Veterans Affair Medical Center, Grand Island.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday August 11, 2016 at 10:30 AM at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Grand Island with the Rev. Martin Egging officiating. Entombment will be in Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 5 until 7 PM with a 7 PM Rosary at Apfel Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church or the Veterans Hero Flights. Apfel Funeral Home is in charged of arrangements.

Mr. Arends was born July 25, 1927 in Hastings, Nebraska the son of Conrad & Dora (Dingwerth) Arends. He attended the Archer Public Schools. He entered the United States Army in September of 1948 and was honorably discharged in September of 1953. He served during the Korean War.

He was united in marriage to Bertha Fuller on April 12, 1950 in St. Paul, Nebraska. The couple moved to Grand Island in 1951 and lived there until moving to Cairo in 1983. They returned to Grand Island in 1998. Mrs. Arends preceded him in death on May 10, 1998.

He was employed at Glade Tire Service for 20 years and then owned and operated Arends Auto Service for 17 years. He retired in 1989.

He was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Eagles, Optimist and Odd Fellow Cubs. He loved his animals; enjoyed camping with his wife and was a very special dad, grandpa and Big Papa.

Those left to cherish his memory include two sons & daughters-in-law: James & Marilyn Arends of South Sioux City, NE, Timothy & Mary Arends of Grand Island, one daughter & Son-in-law, Karen & Tom Mettenbrink of Grand Island, two grandchildren and spouses, Travis & Cassie Mettenbrink of Omah, NE, Jason & Nichole Hablitzel of York, NE, six great grandchildren, Andee Mettenbrink, Ashley Mettenbrink, Hailee, Carter, Brooklyn & Kadence Hablitzel and special nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, eight brothers, Theodore, John, Conrad, Edward, Lawrence, Bob, Leonard, Raymond & George & two sisters, Dorothy Paup and Sister Alexis (Marie) Arends.