John B. Arens Sr., 76, who farmed near Watkins most of his life, died Monday, Jan. 17, 1977, at Meeker County Memorial Hospital, Litchfield.
     Mr. Arens, son of Nicholas and Frances Arens, was born in Loretto, Minnesota, on October 21, 1900. He was married to Cecile Pancake in 1927.
     He is survived by his wife, Cecile, three sons, John Jr. of Young America, LuVern of Brooklyn Park, Leslie of Minneapolis; two daughters, Mrs. Virgil (Beverly) Rettig of Eden Valley and Mrs. Truman (Karen) Nelson of St. Cloud; 21 grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.
     Also surviving are three brothers, Joe of Sauk Centre, Nick of Kimball and George of Minneapolis; and seven sisters, Mrs. Mary Looman of Kimball, Mrs. Maggie Weller of St. Cloud, Mrs. Wm. VanVleet of Kimball, Mrs. Lena Becker of Minneapolis, Mrs. Wm. Monroe of Foley, Mrs. Wm. Borman of Kimball and Mrs. Louise Mackereth of Kimball.
     Funeral services will be held today, Wednesday, Jan. 19, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Watkins. Burial will be in the parish cemetery.
     Pallbearers were nine grandsons: Roger Arens, Richard Arens, Gary Arens, Jimmy Arens, Jamie Arens, Jimmy Rettig, Dave Rettig, Tom Nelson and Terry Nelson.
     Arrangements were by the Ertl Funeral Home in Watkins.

Added January 16, 2005