Allan R. Arens

Allan R. Arens, age 79, of Crofton, Nebraska died on Friday, July 24, 2026 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, South Dakota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Crofton, Nebraska with Reverend Eliot Schwer officiating. Burial will be in the St. Rose of Lima Cemetery in Crofton with military honors provided by the Crofton American Legion Post No. 128. Visitation is from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Wednesday, July 29 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Crofton with a rosary and vigil service at 7:00 PM. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Crofton.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Crofton.  A livestream of the funeral may be viewed at www.facebook.com/WintzRay/live

Pallbearers will be Cody Harris, Reymond Sias, Erick Arens, Kevin Halle, Luke DeBlauw and Ben DeBlauw. Honorary pallbearers will be Larry and Ann Arens, Ron and Linda Guenther, Clair and Diane Arens, Vicki Schumacher, Evelyn Hennings, Leonard and Rita Gollnick, and Matt and Tracy Dvorak.

Allan was born on October 17, 1946, to Raymond and Frances (Tramp) Arens. He grew up on a farm near Crofton, attending Rural Frankfort School District 2 before continuing at St. Rose of Lima Elementary and graduating from Crofton High School in May 1965. Following graduation, he attended Wayne State College.

Allan proudly served with Company D, 153rd Engineer Battalion of the South Dakota National Guard out of Springfield, South Dakota.

On November 25, 1967, he married his high school sweetheart, Irma DeBlauw. Together they had two daughters, Sandra and Joei.

In the fall of 1966, Allan began working at Cimpl’s Meat Packing Company in Yankton, South Dakota, where he remained until 1978 and made many lifelong friends. During those years, he also began hauling garbage part‑time. Guided by determination and an entrepreneurial spirit, Allan left Cimpl’s in 1978 to purchase his first garbage truck and founded Arens Sanitation Inc., which grew to serve 45 towns across 17 counties in Northeast and Northcentral Nebraska. He later expanded into recycling and composting and founded Arens Sales and Consulting, selling recycling and waste‑management equipment across the United States and internationally, including equipment used during the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia.

Following a stroke, Allan continued working in sales before pursuing his passion for serving young people. He became a certified paraeducator and licensed coach, coached boys’ and girls’ golf, and organized a summer youth golf program.

Allan treasured time spent with family and friends. He enjoyed pheasant hunting, camping, boating, golfing, hosting gatherings on the patio, and sharing meals with one another. He was an avid supporter of Crofton athletics, Nebraska Cornhusker sports, and especially loved watching his grandchildren participate in their activities.

He poured his heart into his church and community, serving St. Rose of Lima Parish as a trustee and as a proud member of the Knights of Columbus. Allan cared deeply about Crofton and showed it in countless ways. He was a longtime member of the Crofton Chamber of Commerce and a charter member of the Crofton Lakeview Golf Course, a place he loved and was grateful to see completed with its beautiful new clubhouse this year.

He spent 12 years on the Crofton City Council, where he helped create the Crofton Economic Development Committee and the Crofton Community Foundation Fund, work he was truly proud of. He also lent his time and energy to regional projects through the Knox County Economic Development Committee. Allan never hesitated to support local groups, staying active in the Crofton Booster Club and the Crofton Community Club. His dedication to the people and future of Crofton was simply part of who he was.

He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Irma; his daughters, Sandra Adam‑Sias and Joei (Todd) Harris; his grandchildren, Samantha Adam, Reymond Sias, Emma Harris, Cody Harris, and Kayla Harris; his sisters‑in‑law, Connie Arens, Vonnie Arens, Sheryl Scherschligt, Joleen Beideck, Marina (Roger) Sawatzke, and Linda DeBlauw; his brothers‑in‑law, Steve (Cheryl) Luehrs and Bob DeBlauw; and many cherished nieces, nephews, great‑nieces, and great‑nephews.

Allan was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Frances Arens; his parents‑in‑law, Joe and Adelaide DeBlauw; his sisters, DelRae Luehrs and Debbie Loyd; his brothers, Rick Arens and Kenny Arens; his sister‑in‑law, Dee DeBlauw; his brothers‑in‑law, Richard “Skeeter” Scherschligt, Gary DeBlauw, and John Beideck; his nephew, Jeff Luehrs; and his niece, Karla Halle.

Allan will be remembered for his love of life, his sense of humor, and the kindness he shared with everyone he met. He will be deeply missed.