MADISON - Anton Samuel "Sam" Arneson Jr., age 98, passed away on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at his home in Madison. He was born in Mount Horeb, Wis., on October 5, 1926, to Anton S. and Agnes (Grimstad) Arneson.

Sam attended the Barneveld Public Schools graduating co-valedictorian in 1944. He enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for one semester earning membership in Phi Eta Sigma (Freshman Honors). He entered the U.S. Army, serving in the Southwest Pacific Operations of World War II in the 97th Infantry Division in Leyte in the Philippines, Kumagaya and the IX Corp in Sendai, Japan. He attained the rank of T/Sargent in the U.S. Army Finance Corps. He returned to the University of Wisconsin graduating with a B.B.A. degree in Insurance.

While at the UW he met his life-long love, companion and wife, Joan Grady Ellis. They were married on May 5, 1951, at Grace Episcopal Church. They have been blessed with four wonderful children, James C. (Bonnie) Arneson, Julia A. (Lawrence) Wert, Sara A. (Steven) Benedett and Anton S. “Tony” (Sue) Arneson III; grandchildren, Ashley (Jon) Keough, Kathryn (Tom) Cronin, Kristina (Matthew) Moheban, Sara Elizabeth Wert, Charles D. (Alicia) Wert, Julia G. Benedett, Ethan Nils Arneson and Livia C. Arneson; and seven great-grandchildren, Jordan, Jaxon and Jameson Keough, Jane and Sam Cronin and Madeline and Josie Moheban.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Phillip, Theodore and Carl; sisters, Rebecca and Barbara; and his wife, Joan.

Sam’s career was in the property and casualty insurance business including the A.S. Arneson Insurance Agency and the Ellis-Arneson Company, which ultimately merged with The Neckerman Agency. Sam loved hunting small game and fishing in Northern Wisconsin, Canada and Florida. He loved golf and played at Mount Horeb, Nakoma Country Club, Maple Bluff Country Club and Pelican Nest in Bonita Springs, Fla.

Sam was a member of the Barneveld Lutheran Church, Midvale Community Lutheran Church, Bethel Lutheran Church and Lamb of God Church in Florida. At Bethel, he was stewardship chair, treasurer and vice president of the congregation as well as president of their endowment foundation. Sam was active in Free Masonry being raised a Master Mason on October 25, 1950, in Barneveld Lodge No. 319. He was made an Honorary Member of the Scottish Rites Supreme Council 33 degree in 1975 and played the cornet in the Zor Shrine band. He was also a member of the Barneveld High School and University of Wisconsin bands. Sam was a member of the Rotary Club of Madison and received the Paul E. Harris Fellowship Award. He was active in the Phi Gamma Delta social fraternity and Alpha Kappa Psi commerce fraternity while at the UW-Madison. He was a founding member of the Madison Torske Klubben.

A memorial service will be held at BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 312 Wisconsin Ave., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 17, 2025, with the Rev. David Wrightsman presiding. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Attic Angel Association, Agrace HospiceCare or Bethel Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420

Anton Samuel "Sam" Arneson Jr.

October 05, 1926 - June 19, 2025

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