Alvin Arp

Alvin Arp, 89, of Atlantic, formerly of Griswold, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, September 1, 2009, at the Heritage House in Atlantic.

Alvin Henry Arp was born August 13, 1920, the son of Henry Otto and Meta A. (Kahler) Arp, on the family farm in Kennard, Nebraska.

He attended school in Kennard, NE, graduating in 1937. After graduation he worked on the family farm.

On November 8, 1942, he was united in marriage to Lorraine Adeline Peters at her parents' home in Washington County, Nebraska. Four children were born to this union. Alvin and Lorraine lived in Omaha while he worked at the Martin Bomber plant in Bellevue, NE, making B29 bombers. He was called to serve in the U.S. Army from 1944 until 1946. After his discharge from the Army, the couple lived in Irvington, NE. for a short time until they moved to a farm north of Bennington, NE. In 1962, they moved to the farm three miles east of Griswold, where Alvin continued farming until he was 80 years old. During his years of farming, Alvin also worked for the Cass County ASCS office as a land surveyor and sold real estate for First Farm and Home in Council Bluffs, IA.

He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Bennington, NE, Faith Lutheran in Griswold, IA, St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Atlantic and the Griswold American Legion Post 508.

Alvin was a hard working man who loved the land. He was always there for his family and friends, no matter what they needed, offering his advice and a helping hand. He had a sweet tooth, his favorites included the cakes, cookies and pies that Lorraine would bake, and he always had a stash of cookies for himself in a secret hiding place.

Holidays were special on the farm. The grandchildren will always remember Easter rides with Grandpa on his tractor and cart, returning just in time to find the treats that the Easter Bunny had left them. He loved to share stories about growing up on the farm during the Great Depression, and his military service. After retirement, he enjoyed coffee with friends at Casey's and HyVee, and spending time with his grandkids.

Alvin is survived by his wife, Lorraine Arp of Atlantic, IA; his children, Larry (Karen) Arp of Bennington, NE, Cheryl Meyer (friend Mitch Saure) of Omaha, NE, Alan (Debbie) Arp of Griswold, IA, and Lori (Dick) Cook of Atlantic, IA; his grandchildren, Lance (Lisa) Arp and Kara (Scott) Sorensen all of Bennington, NE, Dustin Meyer of Fort Knox, KY, Jess Meyer of Omaha, NE, Jennifer (Matt) Weber of Cedar Rapids, IA, Tabitha Arp and Paige Arp both of Council Bluffs, IA, Michaela Cook and Matthew Cook both of Atlantic, IA; and his great-grandchildren, Kelsey and Shelby Arp and Gage and Darian Sorensen all of Bennington, NE.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Meta Arp, and his grandson, Scott Arp.

Visitation will be held on Friday, September 4, 2009, from noon to 8:00 p.m. with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., and a prayer service at 6:00 p.m. at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, September 5, 2009, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Atlantic.

Burial will be in the Atlantic Cemetery.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, IA, is in charge of the arrangements.