Herbert Arnold, age 93, of Wall Lake, IA passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, October 16th, 2022. He was born on May 27th, 1929 in Schutzenort Ostpreusen, son of Martin and Berta (Radons) Arnold.
He grew up at a very volatile time, as World War II began in 1939. As the war came to an end in 1945 and at the age of 16, he was forced to engage in warfare. Shortly, thereafter he was captured and for three months put into prison as a prisoner of war. After his release, he searched for his parents as they were displaced from their home. During that time, he did not know what had happened to his parents and siblings. As it turned out all of his siblings survived the war and were reunited once again with their parents.
In his prime of life, he had the opportunity to travel to Canada and worked in gold mines as well as any other job that he could do to provide a living for himself. He later returned to Germany where in 1953, he met the love of his life, Hilde Kathe Rutemann and they were soon married. Overall, this union was blessed with three children: Fred, Marvin and Renata.
In 1953 Herbert came to the United States alone, to seek a better life. He settled in Wall Lake and worked at the National Oats Popcorn plant. In 1954, once he saved enough money, he sent for Hilde and son Fred, who joined him in Wall Lake. He worked hard at National Oats to provide for his family for thirty-four years until the popcorn plant closed.
Herbert became a member of Peace Lutheran Church soon after arriving in Wall Lake and continued to be a faithful member until his death.
In 1964, Herbert and Hilde officially became citizens of the United States. Over the years, together and as a family, they had the opportunity to make several trips back to Germany to visit friends and relatives. Herbert worked hard and had a lot of pride in all that he did including keeping his house, yard and flowers in pristine condition. He and Hilde were seen many times walking around the streets of Wall Lake, always holding hands. Herbert loved his entire family, friends, and living in Wall Lake. He spoke many times of the hardships he endured and conquered throughout his life. He will be greatly missed by all.
He is survived by his wife Hilde Arnold of Wall Lake, IA; sons Fred Arnold of Coralville, IA, and Marvin (Sue) Arnold of Wall Lake, IA; daughter Renata Kies of Dallas Center, IA; grandchildren: Jason (Jill) Kies of Wall Lake, IA, Chad (Kate) Kies of Geneseo, IL, Emily (Nathan) Swensen of Carroll, IA, and Eric (Sara) Arnold of Ames, IA; great-grandchildren: Megan, Kolby, and Karsyn Kies, Caidence, Peyton, Colton, and Miller Kies, Andrew and Kaleb Swensen, Clayton and Levi Arnold; brother Erich Arnold of Edmonton, Canada; sisters-in-law Wilma (Otto) Bramstedt, Erna Lubson, Anne Toepken, Monica Rutemann all of Germany; long-time and close friend Siegfried Muller of Germany; many nieces, nephews, other extended family members and friends.
Herbert was preceded in death by his parents; infant twin brothers; brother Berthold (Erna) Arnold; sister Elsie (Heinz) Nagorr; brothers-in-law Gunter (Agnes) Rutemann, Werner Lubson, Horst Rutemann, and Herbert Toepken; sisters-in-law Alice Arnold and Amanda (Gustav) Maschmann; son-in-law Stanley Kies; grandchild Tiffany Kies; and great-grandchild Maxwell Kies.
