WATERTOWN

Arnold C. “Arnie” Pernat

Oct. 3, 1926 - July 30, 2009

Arnold C. “Arnie” Pernat, 82, of Watertown, passed away Thursday, July 30, 2009, at Fort HealthCare, surrounded by his loving family.

Arnold was born in Ixonia on Oct. 3, 1926, the son of Frank and Agnes (Kocjan) Pernat. He married Margaret Ann Stein on May 28, 1949, at Dr. Martin Luther Church in Oconomowoc. She preceded him in death Sept. 13, 1999. He married Eleanor Wuestenberg on Jan. 13, 2001, at St. Henry Catholic Church in Watertown .

Arnie served in the U.S. Navy “Seabees” during World War II from Dec. 18, 1944, to July 31, 1946. He operated Pernat's Friendly Bar in Mapleton for several years in the 1950s. He worked for his brother, Frank Pernat Excavating of Oconomowoc, for 21 years. He was a member of Operating Engineers Local 139 since 1956 and was a skilled heavy equipment operator, working a bulldozer and backhoe with extreme precision.

In the summer of 1964, the family moved from Oconomowoc to Bakertown Drive in the town of Concord , where Arnie and Marge enjoyed their hobby farm and raising their family. Arnie greatly enjoyed hunting and sturgeon spearing annually, snowmobiling and bowling. He was an avid Packers and Brewers fan. He was treasurer for the Helenville Hilltoppers Snowmobile Club for 12 years. In late 1983, with all of their children raised and grandchildren steadily arriving, Arnie and Marge moved to the town of Aztalan , where Arnie resided until his remarriage and move to Watertown in 2001. Arnie and Ellie were able to enjoy 8 1/2 years of travel, new family and new friends.

Arnie was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Johnson Creek and frequent visitor of St. Henry Catholic Church in Watertown . He was also a member of Plattdeuscher Verein and the Watertown American Legion Post No. 189.

Survivors include his wife, Eleanor “Ellie” Pernat of Watertown; two daughters, Lynn (Kenneth) Mehringer of Johnson Creek and Gail (Michael) Maron of Watertown; two sons, Gary (Christine) of Sullivan and Brian (Bonnie) of Watertown; five granddaughters, Sarah (Ryan) Boylen, Danielle and Ashley Maron, Rochelle and Erin Pernat; five grandsons, Kevin (Becky) Mehringer, Kyle Maron, Ryan, Joshua and Zachary Pernat; two great-grandsons, Austin and Owen; two sisters, Frances Brooks and Carol (Les) Fredrick; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Arnie was further preceded in death by three brothers, John, Frank and Anthony Pernat, and a sister, Matilda Zwieg.

Relatives and friends may pay their respects from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 3, at Hafemeister Funeral Home, 611 E. Main St. , Watertown , and from 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, until the 11 a.m. funeral service at St. John's Lutheran Church in Johnson Creek, with the Rev. Larry Pinnow presiding. Burial will be in the Glenview Memorial Garden in Ixonia, with military graveside rites being provided by the Watertown Veterans Council.

Memorials, if desired, may be given to the St. John's Lutheran Church Handicap Access Fund or to the charity of your choice.

Hafemeister Funeral Home, (920) 261-2218, is serving the family.

(Freeman - Aug. 1, 2009)