WALLACE "WALLY" ARTHUR ARENDS, age 92, of Ellsworth, died Wednesday, April 30, 2014, at the Sanford Hospice Cottage in Luverne. He was born April 20, 1922, in White, SD, to Okkel and Caroline (Meester) Arends. At the age of eight, Wally moved with his parents to the Ellsworth area where he attended school. He served his country during WWII in the United States Navy. He served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Bon Homme Richard as a cook.
Wally married Grace DeVries on December 27, 1944. After their marriage, the couple lived in Ellsworth. Wally worked as a carpenter with his father & brothers. Together, they built many homes in Adrian & Ellsworth. Later, he owned & operated a block laying business where he built foundations and basements. Wally also managed the Ellsworth Municipal Liquor Store from 1961 to 1969. He then operated Wally's Café for many years. Wally still laid block at the age of 80. He became a resident of the Parkview Manor Nursing Home, in Ellsworth, in May of 2011, until moving to the Minnesota Veterans Home, in Luverne, on November 9, 2011.
He was a member of the Zion Presbyterian Church in Ellsworth; the Ellsworth American Legion; the Ellsworth Volunteer Fire Department and the Ellsworth Sportsman's Club. Wally enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, playing cards, bowling, golfing, his grandchildren and playing drums in the Georgie Boomgaarden Band.
Wally is survived by his two children, Bonnie DeGroot, Ellsworth; and Ronald (Claude) Arends, Magnolia; nine grandchildren, Leon (Khaikham) DeGroot, Troy (Catherin) DeGroot, Amy Brockberg, Lyla Christenson, Ryan Hofekamp, Toni (Michael) Schettler, Rhonda Arends, Jackalyne (Tim) Hieronimus & Jeralyne Boelman; great grandchildren, Tyler, Dawson, Kimberly, Khendra, Samantha, Corey, Danielle, Ashley, Austin, Amber, Evan, Lexie, Ava, Leah, Hunter, Skylar & Breyer; five great great grandchildren, Kaedyn, Braydon, Emerson, Masyn, Austin; and one more on the way; and a sister, Leona (Richard "Cecil") Parker, Worthington.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife of sixty nine years, Grace Arends, on April 13, 2014; daughter, Linda Lea Boelman, in 1983; three brothers, Jake, Ornel & Stanley Arends; and two sisters, Loretta Ponto & Verna Bowen.
Visitation will be from 4-8 pm Friday at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Adrian; and also one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Saturday. Funeral will be 10:30 am Saturday at the Dingmann Fuineral Home, in Adrian, officiated by Fr. James Seitz. Burial with full military honors will be at the Grand Prairie Cemetery in Ellsworth.

---