Alvin E. ‘Butch’ Arends

Alvin E. “Butch” Arends
1947 – 2012
Alvin E. “Butch” Arends 64, of Petersburg, NE, passed away Sunday, May 6, 2012 at The Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, NE.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 10, 2012 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Petersburg with Fr. Stan Schmit officiating.  Interment will followed in the parish cemetery with military rites conducted by the Petersburg American Post #334.
Levander Funeral Home of Albion was in charge of arrangements.  Condolences may be sent to the family at www.levanderfuneralhome.com.
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Alvin Edward Arends was born October 19, 1947 to Conrad M., Jr. and Alvina (Thieman) Arends at Palmer, NE.
He was baptized on October 23, 1947 at St. Michael Catholic Church in Central City, NE and confirmed on October 20, 1955 at St. John’s in Petersburg, NE.  He attended St. John’s grade school and high school in Petersburg, graduating on May 23, 1965.
Following high school, he entered into the United States Army on November 15, 1966, serving in Vietnam until being honorably discharged on August 18, 1968. He moved to Chicago to work for his uncle before moving to Grand Island, NE where he worked for a trailer home manufacturer, and later moved to Petersburg, NE and worked for Ritzcraft in Neligh, NE.
Butch was united in marriage to Cherylle Sorensen on Sept. 18, 1970 at St. Wenceslas Catholic Church in Verdigre, NE.
They made their lifelong home in Petersburg.
On May 14, 1977, Butch received an Associates of Arts Degree in Business from Northeast Community College in Norfolk, NE.
In 1991, he began operating Elgin Feeder Supply in Elgin, NE and since 1995, Butch and Cherylle have owned and operated the Knotty Pine in Petersburg, NE.
Butch was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church, American Legion Post #334, Petersburg Development Corporation, Petersburg Community Club, Petersburg Young Men’s Club (JCee’s), and retired member of the Petersburg Fire Department.
He is survived by his wife Cherylle of Petersburg; three daughters: Michelle Phillips of Pekin, IL; Melinda Arends  and Bobbi Arends both of Petersburg; four grandchildren: Kristopher Moreno, Peyton Phillips, Tristen Mortensen and Gavin Phillips; one brother Con Arends of Grand Island; two sisters: Judy Klassen of Albion and Joyce Bottorf of Petersburg.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Con and Alvina Arends.