Louis "Louie" Arps, Jr

Louis "Louie" C. Arps, Jr. 95, Wausau, passed away Wednesday, August 10, 2016 at Mount View Care Center. He was born February 7, 1921 in Tigerton and was the youngest of five children born to Eleanor (Perry) and Louis C. Arps, Sr. Growing up, Louie was a fun-loving, mischievous child. Throughout his life, he maintained a quick wit and sense of humor. After graduating from Tigerton High School, Louie joined the US Army in 1942. He served as a Master Sergeant in World War II and led 20 men into battle on D-Day. Their landing craft was cut in half and sunk as they approached Omaha Beach. Many of the men were unable to swim and drowned before they could reach shore. He would talk about his war experiences to all those who would listen. His book "I'm No Hero" was a collection of not only his war stories, but a chronicle of his formative years in Tigerton. He met the love of his life June "Junie" Giese at a dance at Bay Beach in Green Bay. They were married in Green Bay on May 30, 1947 and moved to Wausau where Louie worked for Morley Murphy as a hardware salesman. Although he had a large territory to cover, he managed to be home for supper each night and washed the dishes afterward. In the morning, he made the sandwiches for school lunch (there was no such thing as too much butter) and was in charge of Saturday bath night. Louie was a good bowler and inherited his love for cards from his mother. He was an excellent Sheepshead and Cribbage player. In his later years, he began playing slot machines. He was known as "Lucky Louie" and became a much-loved fixture at B & R Bar. In 2007, Louie and June moved to Mount View Health Care Center. They stayed in the same room until June required advanced care. He would visit her every day at Garden Side Crossing where they would cuddle together for a few hours. Both were favorites of the staff at Mount View. June preceded Louie in death on November 25, 2010 after celebrating 63 years of marriage. Louie is survived by four children, Greg (Jeannie) Arps, Debbie (Bill) Overbeck, Shelley (Eugene Litzer) Arps, and Julie (Jay) Kolbeck, grandchildren Kim "Doodles" (Matt) Nelson, Chris "Cro" (Linnea) Overbeck, Jessi "Cloney" (Scott) Towle, Kelli "Bob" (Willie) Vetter, step-grandchildren Tara (Dan) Anchor, Lewis (Melissa) Borck, and ten great-grandchildren. Besides his parents and his wife, June, Louie was preceded in death by his beloved son Kevin, brothers Perry, Chet and Rolfe and his sister Caroline. Louie will be greatly missed by his family, relatives and many friends. Funeral services will be 6:00 p.m. Sunday, August 14, 2016 at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau. Rev. William Grevatch will preside. Friends may call Sunday from 3:00 p.m. until the time of services at the funeral home. Burial will be at Pine Grove Cemetery, Wausau. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Wausau is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com. The family would like to thank the Mount View staff for the excellent care they provided over the years to our parents.