Chris E Arndt

Chris Everett Arndt was born on February 25th 1955 in Onawa, Iowa to Carl and Nora Arndt.  He was the fourth of seven brothers and sisters.  Throughout moves during his childhood, he attended several schools including Carter Lake Elementary School and ultimately graduated from Omaha Benson High School in 1973. In his youth, Chris was athletic and enjoyed playing sports especially gymnastics and wrestling.

Chris fell in love with Kerrie Lyn Benson and they were married on August 27th 1977 at Kountze Memorial Lutheran Church in Omaha. Due to their significant height difference, it was jokingly noted in their wedding pictures that Kerrie was barefooted and Chris wore platform shoes. Chris and Kerrie bought a house together in Central Omaha and had two children - Chad in May of 1980 and Stacy in September of 1981. Upon the unexpected passing of Kerrie in December of 1990, Chris didn’t hesitate to assume the role of being a single parent to Chad and Stacy and he continued to raise his family in that very same house.

Known well for his unwavering work ethic, Chris proved himself to be a dependable employee for multiple companies throughout his professional career, including the battery plant, Vickers and Kelloggs. After retiring from Kelloggs, he chose to become a full-time highly invested grandparent to Stacy’s children, Emma and Carrick. The number of volleyball games, football games, practices, school and summer camp activities that Chris attended for Emma & Carrick could not even begin to be accurately counted. Emma & Carrick both knew they would always see their Papa’s face in the stands.

In addition to family being his main focus, Chris was passionate about farming, classic cars, motorcycles, rock music, and movies. Prior to his retirement years, he enjoyed playing basketball, softball and running. Chris was a simple and comfort loving man. Later in life he was often known for wearing bib overalls, tshirts, tennis shoes and was rarely spotted without a ball cap on. He was early to bed, an early riser with a cup of coffee in hand and always on the move (quite literally the man couldn’t sit still). He loved finding a good deal, preferred to buy nearly everything second hand and when he was at home he was often caught scrolling through Craigslist looking for his next bargain.

Places that made his heart happy included his farm in Council Bluffs, the Hoagland’s cabin in Loveland Colorado, vacationing to Treasure Island/Clearwater Beach/St Pete’s Beach Florida and visiting family on the Oregon coast. He even recently ventured to Charlotte NC in 2019 to support Chad with his go-kart racing competition.

After experiencing significant health issues, Chris was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) in October of 2024. He entered in-home hospice in June of 2025 and took his final breath within the comfort of his own home on November 26th 2025.

Chris made friends everywhere & during every stage of his life by showcasing his dependable nature, good humor, and genuine love of helping others. Chris is survived by his family and countless friends from his childhood, from his work, from his farm and others who remember him fondly and will truly miss his likable and trustworthy character.

​Chris was preceded in death by his wife, Kerrie Arndt; his parents, Carl and Nora Arndt; mother-in-law, Kathleen Benson; brothers, Dennis and Jeffrey Arndt; and sisters, Phyllis Arndt and Tammy Arndt-Primmer.

​He is survived by his son, Chad (Olivia) Arndt; daughter, Stacy (Shawn) Stover; and grandchildren: Emma Mitchell, Kaitlyn (Zach) Jacobi, Carrick Johnson, and Jeremiah (Penelope) Miller. He also leaves behind his father-in-law, Donald Benson; brother, Norman Arndt; sister, Carla (Tom) Hawkins; brothers-in-law, Brian (Jennifer) Benson and Steve Benson; sister-in-law, Denine Benson (Larry Kaiser); dear friend, Barbara Bennett; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A visitation will be held at Westlawn-Hillcrest Funeral Home, located at 5701 Center St, Omaha, Nebraska, 68106, on December 3, 2025, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled at the same venue on December 4, 2025, starting at 10:00 am. The family requests that those attending please dress casually.

In lieu of flowers, family would gladly welcome donations made on Chris Arndt’s behalf to the non-profit organization Feline Friendz of Nebraska. Through Stacy’s own obsession, Chris became a lover of cats – especially orangies. Stacy brought her orange cat Finnegan (who she adopted from Feline Friendz in 2021) over to visit Chris regularly, and these visits became something positive that he looked forward to during the progression of his illness. In his own words - ”Me & orangie…we be mates!"

Feline Friendz in NE

PO Box 641818

Omaha  NE 68164

https://www.felinefriendz.org/donate