John L. (Jack) Arensberg
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John Louis (Jack) Arensberg died Monday, September 3rd at Lawrence Memorial Hospital at the age of 91.
Jack was born on July 4, 1927 in Atchison, KS to Lee and Agnes (Curran) Arensberg. After graduating from Atchison High School Jack enlisted in the Navy and served in WW II.
After the war Jack attended Benedictine College in Atchison Kansas. He graduated in 1950 with a degree in Business. Jack married Mary Clark on July 19, 1958. He moved to Lawrence, KS in August of 1958. Jack owned and operated Arensberg’s Shoes in downtown Lawrence for 50 years. During this time, he served as president of the Downtown Lawrence Association, president of the Breakfast Optimist Club and was a member of the Elks Club. He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church where he served as an usher for many years. Jack’s hobbies included fly fishing in Colorado, quail and pheasant hunting in Kansas and playing golf at Lawrence Country Club, where he was a member for 58 years. In his retirement, Jack enjoyed his morning coffee with friends at McDonalds. Many thanks to Herbie Weidensaul and Marty Pattin for providing his transportation.
Jack is survived by his wife Mary of the home and his children: Tim (Deanne), Tom (Anita), Jeff, Andy (Denise) all of Lawrence; Julie Pfister (EJ) Edmond, OK, his 7 grandchildren and sister Gay Lacy, Scottsdale, AZ. He was preceded in death by his brother, Lee Arensberg.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00am at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church on Thursday, September 6th with a family burial to follow. A reception will be held at Lawrence Country Club at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Lawrence Memorial Hospital Endowment Fund – Cardio Rehab. and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone.
We are so sad to hear this news. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Eric and Theresa Gabrielson
I’m so very sorry for you loss. He was a good man.
My prayers & deepest sympathy to all of you
Tim. So sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you and your family.
So sorry for your loss. He was a Lawrence icon. Thinking of you, Tim, Deanne, John and Maggie… and all of your family.
So sad to hear this news of my neighbor and friend passing. Love to the entire Arensberg family.
We are so sorry to hear about Jack’s passing but we know he is in a better place. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!!
Keith, Jennifer, and Kurt Smith
Tim, Deanne, Maggie, and John so sorry to hear of your loss. Thoughts and Prayers are with you and your family.
So sorry to the whole Arensberg family for the loss of a great man and a downtown icon. Jack was incredibly instrumental in keeping downtown Lawrence unique, special, and vibrant.
My condolences to Jeff and the Arensberg family.
Deanne – I’m so sorry for your family’s loss. Thinking of you at this difficult time.
I will always remember Jack for his smile, his comment on a mutual memory and the laugh that always followed. Jack was a good man and a downtown icon. Blessings to all the Arensberg family during this life transition.
Mary, Tim, Tom, Jeff, Julie and Andy,
I’m so sorry for your loss. Jack was a kind man. I have a lot of fond memories of the Arensberg family! You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Tracy (Hageman) Coldsnow
To the extended Arensberg family: The Hedges family extends our heartfelt condolences for the loss of Jack. We have so many fond memories of the fun, hilarious, and enjoyable times we have spent with your family and Jack. We will treasure those memories forever. Jack’s visit with Chuck before he passed and that photo of them shaking hands one last time was very special to us. We hope they are greeting each other now discussing some golf rounds, card games, ski trips, story telling and more! Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We appreciate all the special times spent together over the years.
My heart, love, and prayers are extended to your whole, dear Arensberg family at this Holy time. May you all be reminded of the true “gift” he is, has been, and forever shall be to you all. May you celebrate his life, as it should be celebrated, as one that touched many lives. May we trust he now is rewarded, and now shares fully in God’s Glory! I never met Jack, but his son, Jeff, is an obvious reflection of having a great father. My prayers are with you all!
Arensberg family ,your in my thoughts and prayers.Your dad and my dad were first cousin. Peace be with you!
Our condolences to the entre Arensberg family for the loss of a great individual. I had the privilege of working for the Arensberg family and truly enjoyed when Jack would stop by the store. He was a friendly, genuine and supportive man and I admired his humility and kindness. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to have worked for him and his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
I am so sorry for your loss. A great man, father and Lawrence Icon. He will be missed and remembered. I am smiling as I think of the many chats and interactions with him and the stories his family has shared of his life.
Jack, you have left a great legacy in your amazing children and the families they have! I salute you and all you accomplished! Will raise a glass and a cigar in your honor!
Deepest sympathies to the family. Mary Arensberg Tim Arensberg Tom Arensberg Jeff Arensberg Andy Arensberg Julie Pfister
My sympathies to Mary and to the entire Arensberg family. I’m thinking of all of you at this difficult time! Many fond memories of all of you over the years. Your family is a special one and you will comfort each other in the days ahead!
I can’t imagine what a hole this leaves in the hearts of Jack’s family, friends and all of Lawrence.
I have long admired both Jack and Mary for raising such wonderful children. Smart, successful and so fun, all with a great sense of humor.
I always wish I knew what words to say to take away some of the hurt of losing someone so important in your life, but sadly do not.
Seems like just when we start putting the puzzle of life together, we begin to lose pieces. My family is thinking of Jack’s family and wishing them comfort.
Paul & Carolyn Rogers
All The ROGERS family forward our condolences & fondest memories of “Jack” to Mary and all the Arensberg family & Larry Flottman family. Jack was one of a kind & will be greatly missed.
Michael Williams, Gaile Stephens and Dorothy and Wes Williams:
Jack was a great inspiration for me (Michael) – he gave me my first job and was always patient, fair and kind. I know he was instrumental in many lives, especially how he gave so many young people their first chance at work. In addition, he was a great friend to my sister Gaile as they met at physical therapy for many years. Heaven has a special place for people like Jack – he embodied the spirit of treating others how he would like to be treated. To the family, thank you for sharing him with us all. He was a true blessing.