Arnold I. Oldenburg

Arnold I. Oldenburg, age 84 of Viroqua, went to be with his Lord on Sunday, March 19, 2006 at Gundersen-Lutheran in LaCrosse. He was born May 8, 1921 in Vernon County to William and Anna (Schock) Oldenburg. On Nov 13, 1942, Arnold married Helen Minshall. They farmed in rural Viroqua before moving to Illinois where he worked for Curtis Candy Co. When Arnold and Helen moved back to Viroqua, he worked for Tri-State Breeders for over 13 years. Arnold owned and operated a gas station in Viroqua and drove school bus for the Viroqua School District. He also worked as a district sales manager for Furst-McNess prior to retiring in 1986. Arnold was a very active member of the Viroqua Church of Christ where he had taught Sunday School and had previously been an Elder for over 40 years. He also served on the Viroqua City Council and the Vernon Memorial Hospital Board where he had been president. Arnold had been a member and president of the Viroqua Kiwanis Club. Arnolds greatest love in life was his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and he brought many people to a closer relationship with Christ. He equally loved and adored his family and was at all family functions, no matter where they were held. He most enjoyed spending time with family and friends. No one was a stranger to Arnold as he could strike up a conversation with anyone. He also loved horses, enjoyed camping and collecting toy tractors. In addition to his wife Helen, Arnold is survived by his children: Sandra Burghardt of Clay Center, NE; Wayne (Patricia) Oldenburg of Viroqua; and foster daughter, Patty Orabi of Madison; five grandchildren: Rhonda, Lori, Darcy, Michael, Sarah and foster-granddaughter Sharina; 10 great-grandchildren: Kyle, Amanda, Kellie, Amber, Devin, Ericka, Jarod, Quinn, Alexis and Ayden; one sister, Bernice (Bob) Cade and one brother, Wesley (Marie) Oldenburg, both of Viroqua; one step-sister, Mary Ann (Jack) Haun of Indianapolis, IN; one brother-in-law, Kenneth (Arlene) Minshall of Milwaukee and one sister-in-law, Dawn Minshall of FL; special family friend, Frances Johnson of Viroqua; nieces, nephews and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son, William; son-in-law, Ronald Burghardt; grandson, Lon Burghardt; three brothers-in-law: George Weber and Roy and Mahlon Minshall and special family friends, Grace and Lucille Johnson. Blessed be his memory. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, March 23, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. at the Viroqua Church of Christ. Pastor Joe Adams will officiate with burial in the Viroqua Cemetery. Friends may call on Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home, 123 West Decker (Hwy 56) in Viroqua. Friends may also call on Thursday after 10:00 a.m. at the Church. The Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home of Viroqua is serving the family.