James Harold Arentsen, age 94, of Sheboygan, passed away on Saturday, July 10, 2021, after a battle with cancer. He was born on February 5, 1927, in Alexandria, MN, the son of the late Harold and Gertrude Arentsen. His parents moved to Oshkosh, WI in 1944 where his father took a teaching position. Jim attended Jr and Sr high school in Oshkosh, enlisting in the U.S. Navy in World War II his senior year. He was ordered to Great Lakes Naval Training Boot Camp where he received his high school graduation diploma. He was then ordered to the Naval Hospital Training School in San Diego, CA. His next assignment was to a Naval Rehab Hospital in West Palm Beach, FL, then assigned to Brooklyn’s Navy Pier where he bordered a communication flag ship serving in the South Pacific. He was then assigned to a Naval Hospital in Panama. That was his last assignment and was honorably discharged at Great Lakes Naval Training Center having served almost two years. He then enrolled at the State Teaching College in Oshkosh transferring to the State Teaching College in Milwaukee with a Major in Music and Minor in English. The naval recalled him in the Fall of 1951 during Korean War, assigning him to the Hospital Training School in Portsmouth, VA where he was an instructor in hospital/medical procedures for 2 1/2 years.
Jim moved to Sheboygan in 1955 working at the JC Penny Store, later working as sales representative for the Prudential Ins Co. moving to Janesville, WI as a sales manager. He left the insurance business to pursue a teaching position in South Beloit. He later worked as a guidance counselor and music teacher in Ordfordville, WI School District whiles pursuing an Administration degree at UW Madison then becoming a School Principal in Sheboygan, WI in 1974, retiring from that work after close to 30 years. Afterwards, Jim became a real estate agent, retiring at age 90 years old. Jim and Dorothy, his wife, have traveled in all but 2 states in America and in Canada, Europe, and Mexico.
He is survived by his wife Dorothy; sister Marcia Johnson; sisters-in-law Diane (Paul) Havlinek, Gloria Robley and Karen Robley; 3 children Mark (Mary Beth) Arentsen, Christine Kranz, Kurt Arentsen (friend Kaaren); 4 step-children Roger (Connie) Kanitz, Daniel (Lori) Kanitz, Allan (Veda) Kanitz, Robin Kanitz; 4 grandchildren Kimberly (Brett) Stauber, Richard (fiancée Stacy) Kranz, Elizabeth (Jeffery) Arentsen, Nathan Arentsen; 8 step grandchildren Melina (Will) Munoz, Salisa (Chris) Denton, Aimee (Greg) Ingelse, Aaron Kanitz, Daniel (Alicia) Kanitz, Joseph Kanitz, Laura Kanitz, Katherine Kanitz; great-grandchildren Emmet and Everett Stauber, Christina, Chloe, Claire and Carter Kranz, River Loewe and Amina Arentsen; step great grandchildren Priscilla, Moises and River Munoz, Liam and Mila Denton, Mason, Sophie and Callen Ingelse, Cadance and Jack Kanitz.
He is proceeded in death by his parents, son-in-law Jeff Kranz, daughter-in-law Cathy Arentsen, and several brothers and sisters-in-law.
His Legacy was “I’ll do what I can, when I can, if I can”.
Funeral services for James will be held on Friday, July 16, 2021, at 11:30 a.m. at Luther Memorial Church, 1127 Eisner Ave., Sheboygan with Pastor Adam Barkley officiating. Family and friends may gather at the church on Friday morning from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at 11:30 a.m. Interment will take place at Greenlawn Memorial Park in the Gardens of Peace Mausoleum.
A heartfelt thank you is extended to the staff at the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice for the compassion and care that was given to Jim. The Reinbold-Novak Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.reinboldfh.com
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