Don Arendt, 82, of Oskaloosa, died Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at Mahaska Health Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa.
Born July 7, 1942, in Oskaloosa to Louie and Janet (Moore), Donald Dale (as his mother named and called him) grew up in Gibson, the youngest of three boys. He graduated from Tri-County South/What Cheer High School in 1960, continued his education at Simpson College, and graduated from William Penn College in 1964. He married Judith Broshar in 1962, and they lived in Oskaloosa, where he began his career in banking at Iowa Trust and Savings Bank. Don and Judi moved to his hometown of Gibson in the late 1960s to work in the family bank and raise a family. In 1979, Don purchased Citizens Savings Bank in Gilman, Iowa (now based in Marshalltown, Iowa) and served as Chairman of the Board until his death.
On November 20, 1992, Don married Donna Malin. Together, they traveled the country in their motor home and by motorcycle, spending winters in Florida or Arizona but always calling Oskaloosa home. Don appreciated and collected old cars and old coins. He loved nothing more than riding down the highway on his motorcycle, preferably with a group of friends, and being on his boat—also preferably with friends. Friends mattered to Don. And Don mattered to his friends.
Don served in the United States Army Reserves in the late 1960s. He was a member of the Oskaloosa Shriners and a past director of the Royal Order of Jesters (Davenport Court 129). He belonged to the American Legion, Eagles, Elks, and V.F.W. and was a lifelong Gibson United Presbyterian Church member.
Don leaves behind his wife, Donna, of Oskaloosa, and his children: Angela Arendt (Peter McGaugh) of Mesa, Arizona, and Todd (Kristin) Arendt of Altoona. There are three grandchildren, too: Bailey (Mike) Larsen of Mesa, Arizona, Zachary Arendt of Waukee, and Hannah (Jo) Arendt (Dulce Escorcia) of Iowa City. There are three great-grandboys—Jackson, Bennett, and Cole Larsen—who will miss Papa Don and his two older brothers survive him as well: Bill (Cynthia) Arendt of Columbia, Missouri, and Larry (Beth) Arendt of Clive, Iowa.
Don was preceded in death by his parents.
There will be a celebration of Don’s life on Friday, March 28, 2025, at the American Legion Post #34 in Oskaloosa. Friends and family from every part of Don’s life are invited to gather together at 3:00 p.m. There will be a Service of Celebration and Remembrance (Rev. Angie Arendt officiating) at 4:00 p.m., immediately followed by food, drink, and the kinds of feel-good stories at the table that Don would love. Please note that Don would also love to wear his jeans to this kind of event, so we ask that you do the same: casual wear is encouraged.
Langkamp Funeral Chapel & Crematory has been entrusted with Don’s final arrangements. A private burial of Don’s ashes at Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa will be held at another time. The family requests that memorial contributions be directed to Mahaska Health Hospice Serenity House.
