Donne Roger Arneson, age 74, of San Diego, CA, formerly of Clintonville, WI, passed away on Monday, June 2, 2014 at Sharp Lakeview Home in La Mesa, San Diego County, CA with his family by his side.
Donne was born on July 11, 1939 in Clintonville, Waupaca County, Wisconsin, the son of the late William and Emma (Moder) Arneson. He graduated from Clintonville High School and later served in the United States Army’s signal intelligence branch as a Morse code operator. In 1957, Donne joined the family business of selling Christmas trees and opened his first Christmas tree lot in Chicago, IL. He and his brothers, with the help of many family members, sold Christmas trees in Chicago side by side for over five decades. For many years Donne also owned and operated a used car business in San Diego, CA. He enjoyed golfing, the beach, watching his favorite Westerns, watching baseball and football games, going to the horse races and the casino, tending his plants, and especially ‘just taking a drive’. Donne cared deeply for his family and will be remembered as a loving father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, great uncle and devoted friend to many.
He is survived by his son, Mark (Cindy) Blake, Westminster, MA; daughter, Jodi Arneson, Los Angeles, CA; granddaughters: Ashley Marrama, Alyssa Blake and Katie Blake, Westminster, MA; sister, Nancy (Lyle) Johnson, Seymour, WI; brother, Gerald (Steven Robinson) Arneson, Madison, WI; sister-in-law, Jean Arneson, Clintonville, WI; brother-in-law, Tom McClone, Hortonville, WI; and former spouse, Lynn Arneson Barnes, El Cajon, CA. Donne is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Donne was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers: William Arneson, Jr., James Arneson and Harold Arneson; three sisters: Rosemary Arneson, Elaine Poole and Jean McClone; one brother-in-law, Gordon Poole; one sister-in-law, Elaine Arneson; and a loving friend, Patricia Blake.
Private memorial services will be held in San Diego, CA and Clintonville, WI. Inurnment will be in Greenwood Cemetery in the Town of Matteson, Waupaca County, WI. Please be encouraged to read more about Donne’s life as well as share stories and memories at http://donne-arneson.virtual-memorials.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to Sharp Lakeview Home of La Mesa, CA (9472 Loren Drive La Mesa, CA 91942, 619-668-6995) or the charity of your choice.