Arden E Kreft

Arden Erich Kreft of Arlington, age 82, passed away peacefully on August 26, 2016 at Golden Hearts Assisted Living Center in Arlington. A visitation is scheduled from 4:00-8:00 pm on Tuesday, August 30, and an 11:00 am funeral service on Wednesday, August 31. Both services will be held at Peace Lutheran Church, 514 Freedom Drive, Arlington. Burial with military rites at Arlington Public Cemetery will follow the funeral service. Arden was born on July 24, 1934 to Mabel (Guetschoff) and Erich Kreft. He was raised in Arlington Township on a farmstead homesteaded by his maternal great-grandparents. He was baptized as an infant at St. John's Lutheran Church, rural Arlington. Arden attended "Dutch College" country school before joining the Arlington High School Class of 1952. After two years of farming with his father, he enlisted in the United States Army in 1954. He fondly remembered his service time as a Military Police Officer at Fort Richardson, Alaska. Upon Honorable Discharge from the Army in 1956, he used his GI Bill to enroll at Minneapolis Vocational School, and soon earned a degree in Cabinetmaking. After working for a few years as a cabinetmaker and carpenter in the Twin Cities, Arden moved back to Arlington in 1962 and founded Kreft Cabinets, Arden's own cabinet shop, Main Street, Arlington. He sold the business to his eldest son in 2003, and was extremely pleased that the family business remains open in Arlington. He loved his chosen vocation, often stating that, "There was never a Monday when I did not look forward to going to work." On December 27, 1968 Arden was united in marriage with Marie Angeline Bauman, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Arlington. Arden and Marie settled at the corner of East Baker Street and 5th Ave. SE in Arlington and raised seven children. Arden was the longest-serving Mayor in the history of Arlington-elected eight times, and in office from 1970-1993. Arden's legacy of humble, quiet, steadfast leadership is exhibited by innumerable community projects. He was a true servant of the community-a member of many community groups, including being an original member of the Arlington Ambulance Service with whom he served 20 years. Arden's commitment to the community was recognized by Sibley East School District when he was part of the inaugural group of "Wall of Fame" inductees, and by the City of Arlington who presented him the "Darwin Mathwig Community Service Award". Arden was an active and passionate member of the local American Legion and VFW Posts, serving countless terms in leadership positions. In the 1960s he became a member of the Arlington VFW Drill Team. He thoroughly enjoyed recounting stories of team camaraderie and hijinks. In the early 2000s , Arden, with his great friend Elroy Schwirtz, spear-headed the project of remodeling and enlarging the Arlington Veterans' Memorial. Arden was proud to be remembered with the Arlington and Sibley County Veterans organizations for the memorial's success as a symbol of our community's devotion and patriotism. Arden was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Arlington where he was active in the founding of the congregation, and served in many leadership roles. Arden's hobbies included playing cards, horseradish gardening and grinding, collecting antique woodworking tools, talking smart, road tripping, napping, and enjoying morning coffee with friends. One of his favorite times of the year was the annual "Kreft Camp" reunion when he vacationed with his wife, children, and grandchildren. Arden is survived by wife Marie of Arlington; children: James (Holly) Kreft of Arlington, John (Kari) Kreft of Elbow Lake, MN, Mark Kreft of Golden Valley, MN, Kathryn (Andy) Lang of Eagan, MN, Daniel (Heather) Kreft of Hinckley, MN, David (Abby) Kreft of Belle Plaine, MN, and Mike Kreft of Willmar, MN; sister Shirley (Bernie) Beneke of Elk River, MN, and brother Robert (JoAnn) Kreft of St. Louis Park, MN; 15 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and grandson Anthony Lang.

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