Arnold "Arnie" Wiest

     Arnold “Arnie” Wiest, age 90, of Fort Atkinson, IA, died on Wednesday, November 19, 2014, at Wellington Place in Decorah, IA.      Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m., Saturday, November 22, 2014, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Ft. Atkinson, IA, with Father Nick March presiding. Burial will be in the St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, Fort Atkinson, IA.      Friends may call from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m., on Friday, November 21, 2014, and also on Saturday morning after 9:00 a.m., at the Schluter-Balik Funeral Home, Chekal Chapel, 201 Main Street, Fort Atkinson, IA. There will be a rosary at 4:00 p.m., and a scripture service at 5:00 p.m., on Friday at the funeral home.      Arnold Joseph Wiest was born on March 19, 1924, the son of Henry and Agnes (Vorda) Wiest near Fort Atkinson, IA. Arnold attended St. John’s Catholic School and graduated from Fort Atkinson High School in 1942. At the age of 18, he was drafted into the US Army, taking basic training at Camp Beale, CA. He was a Sergeant in the 273rd Field Artillery and then the 6960 Infantry Reinforcement Co. in France until the end of World War II. In Europe, he received two bronze stars, one European Theater Ribbon, American Theater Victory, Good Conduct Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon. Arnie also received a special thank you diploma from France for helping free France from the Axis powers in 1944-45. Arnie was manager of Wiest Builders for 45 years, building new homes, farm buildings and doing general carpentry. One September 27, 1949, he was united in marriage to Betty Jean Doubek of Fort Atkinson, at St. John’s Catholic Church and they were blessed with four children: Norma, Charles, Roger and James. They lived on a small acreage north of Fort Atkinson. Arnie was a charter member of the Huber – Steffes American Legion Post #672 for 70 years. He was a life member of the Turkey River VFW Post #3902.      Arnold is survived by his four children: Norma (Ted) Cahalan, Decorah, IA; Charles Wiest, Fort Atkinson, IA; Roger (friend, Linda) Wiest, Fort Atkinson, IA; and James (Trish) Wiest, Yukon, OK. Three grandchildren: Michael (Jenny) Wiest, Michele (Shalom) Avitan, and Matthew Cahalan. Great grandchildren: Shawn, Melanie, Steven, Emily, Sam, Maggie, Dalton, Kylie and Caiden. One sister: Ann (Bill) Swisher, Waterloo, IA. Two sisters-in-law: Vera Wiest, Fort Atkinson, IA, and Blanche (Ron) Jirak, Protivin, IA. One brother-in-law: Robert Klimesh, Fort Atkinson, IA, along with several nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.      Arnold was preceded in death by his parents: Henry and Agnes (Vorda) Wiest. His wife: Betty Wiest on Nov. 21, 2013. One granddaughter: Melissa Cahalan. Three brothers: Clarence Wiest, Art (Ellen) Wiest, and Henry Wiest, Jr. Sister-in-law: Elaine Klimesh. His father-in-law and mother-in-law: William and Cecelia (Frana) Doubek.