Art Wexler will be honored with a Celebration of Life Service on Thursday, February 2 at 9 am at the Palm Springs Air Museum, 745 Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs, CA.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held for Art Wexler on Friday, January 6 at 2 pm, with a Time of Gathering starting at 12:30 pm, both at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home 833, South Marschall Road, Shakopee, MN.

Art was born in Minneapolis, MN on May 17, 1928 to Louis and Lena (Klugman) Wexler. Born with physical challenges, he never saw himself as disabled. Art viewed life with zest, determination and a yearning to experience it to the fullest. Throughout his entire life, he never allowed anyone to help, for Art wanted to be treated just like anyone else.

Art attended school in Minneapolis with his three brothers, Vernon, Donald and Jerome, and sister, Bernice. He relished playing with them. As most boys do, Art loved to eat. He enjoyed his mother’s cooking so much. Art was considered a human garbage can, for there was no food wasted at their home.

Life was enriched, when Art met Jeneen Blaustone. They were married on August 20, 1969. It was the birth of his beloved daughter, Aviva, that captured his heart. Tired of the Minnesota winters, Art moved his family to Tucson, Arizona. He loved the warm weather and especially the mountains. As a family, they enjoyed traveling. Some of his fondest times were spent horseback riding in the desert with Aviva. As Aviva grew, he was always there supporting and participating in all of her activities. He was her biggest supporter.

After Art retired from his career as an accountant, he purchased and managed a roller skating and skate board shop near the University of Arizona. Because of his love for youth, he took a group of troubled teen boys “under his wing”, purchasing a skate board ramp for them that allowed them to go around entertaining the local community and keeping them off the streets. Later in life, Art expanded his horizons and was an owner of several apartment complexes. After retiring, Art was able to enjoy a long career as a security guard. His post was in the mountains above Tucson. As night came and the lights of Tucson turned on throughout the city, Art loved to look down on the city and say, “The city has put on its jewels”.

Upon the passing of his wife, Jeneen in 2008, Art moved to Palm Springs, CA, to be closer to his brother Don. Each day, Art had the tough decision of which mountain side he was going to enjoy first. Each day he would say, “My biggest decision of the day is whether I want to sit on the back porch or go to the front deck to look at the beautiful mountains.” In Art’s spare time, he enjoyed reading current events and completing crossword puzzles.

There was one thing Art always wanted to do…to serve his country in the military and fly planes. Well, part of this dream came true. For nearly 8 ½ years, he was a DOSA for the Palm Springs Air Museum. Volunteering 3-4 days a week, Art took great pride in educating people on the different types of WWII planes and instructing them on how to fly, using a simulator. This was the best job he ever had. Watching the joy on visitors’ faces, as he taught them how to fly the simulator, brought so much fulfillment to his life. In 2012, Art was inducted into the Palm Springs Hall of Fame. In 2015, he received the Charlie Mayer Award for his dedication in leadership.

For over 88 years, Art met life’s challenges head-on, with strength and determination, never complaining or allowing anything to discourage him. He relished being a husband and father, but being a grandfather brought him the greatest joy. A very humble, quiet and kind man, it will be his legacy of generosity, caring and nonjudgmental character that will be remembered by his family and all who knew him. On Wednesday, December 28, 2016, Art passed away peacefully in the presence of his family, at St. Francis Regional Medical Center, Shakopee, MN. He will be forever missed and loved by his daughter, Aviva “Sunny” (Rod) Johnson; grandchildren, Matt, Bobbi, Tim, Jessica, McKenzie; 3 great-grandchildren; brother, Jerome Wexler; nieces, nephews and friends.

Art was greeted in heaven by his wife, Jeneen; parents, Louis and Lena; siblings, Bernice (Leonard) Hirsh, Vernon (Lois) Wexler, Donald (Lynn and Nancy) Wexler; sister-in-law, Geraldine Wexler.

Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation, Shakopee Chapel, proudly served and cared for the Wexler family. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com

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