Dave Arens
Posted By Ballard Sunder Funeral Home On January 20, 2024 @ 2:08 pm In 2024,Obituaries | 12 Comments
David “Dave” Paul Arens, age 90, of Lakeville, MN, passed away peacefully with family at his side on January 19, 2024. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and good friend. He will be missed dearly.
Dave was born on November 25, 1933 to Francis and Henrietta Arens in Slayton, MN as the oldest of seven children. He grew up on the family farm in Wilmont, MN. After graduating from Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Wilmont, MN in 1951, he was encouraged by his brother Bob to go to college and get his degree from Mankato State.
After graduating with a degree in biology and physical education, he started his first job at Jordan High School as a science teacher, football coach, and head wrestling coach beginning a 33 year career impacting the lives of so many students and athletes.
In 1958, Dave met Barbara Jackson who he married in 1959. Dave and Bara had 4 children, Patrick, Kelli, Todd and Megan. The entire family moved to Atlanta, GA for a year when he received the National Science Academic Foundation Scholarship to earn his MA degree from Atlanta University. They then moved back to Bloomington, MN where Dave was hired as a science and computer sciences teacher, soccer and wrestling coach. In 1975 he accepted the head wrestling coach position at Bloomington Kennedy where he was the head coach for 9 years. The Kennedy Eagles placed 3rd in state 5 times while Dave was the coach, and they were state champions in 1980 and 1984.
A die-hard worker for the sport of wrestling, Dave served as President of the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association. He was honored as MN Wrestling Coach of the Year in 1984 and was inducted into the MN Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1991 and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2008.
In 1993 Dave retired from teaching, but continued to be a fishing guide at Lake of the Woods, MN for Sunset Lodge where he had been guiding during the summer months since 1988. Dave and Bara eventually purchased land on Oak Island and enjoyed spending May through October on the island watching the amazing sunsets together from their cabin. Dave continued to guide for over 20 years. One of Dave’s favorite things was to spend a day out fishing with a stop at the perfect shore lunch spot. He would make an amazing fish fry and create an experience that guests, friends, and especially his family will treasure forever.
His pride and joy was his family. He always wanted to know what his kids, grandkids, and even his great grandkids were up to, but the most important person in his life was his dear wife Bara. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on January 10th, 2024. Dave was kind, generous, and loyal. He carried himself with dignity and strength and he was an exemplary human being. He made an impact on many lives and will be forever missed.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Henrietta (Remeckel) Arens, his brother Gerald Arens and sister-in-law LaVae Arens.
Survived by his wife Barbara Jean Arens; children: Patrick Arens (Shannon), Kelli Arens (Matt), Todd Arens (Lindy), Megan VanOverbeke (Ken); grandchildren Mason, Justin, Kayla(Paul), Tyler, Francis(Johanna), Sydney, Chase, Elliot, Lydia, Grant, Luke & Jack; great grandchildren Scarlett, Parker, Talen; siblings: Beverly Gerber (Allan), Robert Arens, (Peggy Mc Henry), Marvin Arens (Collette), Dianna Arens (Scott), Rochelle Jewett (Ken) and many loving nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, January 28, 2024 from 1:00 – 3:00 PM with a Remembrance Service at 3:00 PM. Services will be held at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation (104 First St. W.) in Jordan, MN. Family and friends can livestream the service at the following link: Dave Arens Memorial Service (Meeting ID: 834 0148 1625).
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Mr Arens was good man and it was my honor to have known him; as a 6th grader struggling in school he had a life changing positive impact on my life. He was a good coach and a great neighbor. Your family was Blessed to have him for so many years.
God has welcomed him into heaven with a wink and a nod…
Thanks you Tony for you note: Always fun to remember the great times we had with your family in the old neighborhood!
Deepest Sympathies , Prayers, Confort, and Thought in the loss of you husband, Dad, and friends to all. A member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for Lifetime Service! Definitely A Hall of Fame Hall of Fame
person, who will be sorely missed! God gained the Best Angel in the likes of Dave, Always had that great smile!
A sad day. Coach Arens was a positive influence and mentor to me since I was about eight years old. The discipline, character, and leadership skills Dave taught me have been invaluable throughout my life as I successfully managed personal struggles, personal growth, my military career, semi professional and collegiate sports, and a long list of successfully held professional positions. The toughness and skills he taught me played a significant role in keeping myself alive for 25 years in law-enforcement with the confidence to manage confrontations and minimizing injuries to several suspects I had to wrestle or fight with. Most importantly, Coach Arens left me with the winning edge mindset. That winning mindset has saved me throughout my life, never allowing me to be a victim, always forcing me to work towards being the better version of me, and continually pushing me to find ways to serve so many people to the best of my ability, and leave them better than how I found them. Coach Arens, You will be missed, but will always be in my heart. I know heaven is now a better place with you in it. God bless the Arens family members who shared Dave with us all.
1Dave and Bara were dear neighbors to us on Oak Island for many years. Always willing to help and share. Bara’s creativity and Dave’s willing to make those dreams come true was amazing to watch. Condolences to all of the family.
Sorry for your loss, he was a very special person. He will be missed.
RIP Coach Arens! You & your Family were a big part of the Rud Families lives within our JFK Bloomington community. A true leader and teacher of being a good person in life and the importance of family & friends.
Sending my condolences to all from VA.
So very sorry for your loss. Both Dave and Barb were pillers of our community. We lost a great coach.
The Dave Arens Family,
My memories of teaching biology with Dave occupy a special place in my mind and heart. Dave was truly an outstanding teacher. The Arens Family knows that, student know that, and, colleagues as well. Stay strong.
Larry Thomforde
what an honorable man whose influence in life , I still feel so many years later. As a coach he touched so many of us on the Jordan High wrestling squad. with his desire for each of us to excel in all we do. RIP coach.
I owe Dave more than words can say for his investment in me as a boy and continued influence as a man. He literally picked me up from an undisciplined youth to learn disciple, perseverance, and instilled the ethos of respect for others. He invited me into his home and cared for me as a son. My life’s goal was to make him proud of me. I started missing him when I graduated from high school. He will always be a part of who I am. Rest in peace is a mere platitude for a man who will live on in my heart.
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My sincerest sympathy to the family. You all have so much to be proud of, as Coach Arens was a really fine man! I hope all your memories will bring you comfort in the days to come. All my best,
Mare