Arent Mondeel was 86 when he peaceably passed away Dec. 25, 2013, in the Hospice in Clermont, Fla. He was born in Hollandale to Jacob and Alice Mondeel on May 14, 1927. After his schooling, he joined the Navy and was discharged in 1946. On June 9, 1949, he was united in marriage to Betty Reynen, daughter of John and Pearl Reynen. He and Betty farmed until he retired when he was 55. When the family was growing up, camping was the way of life. They enjoyed summer vacations up by the lakes, fishing and in the winter going to Florida during the holidays. Fishing and hunting with their dad became part of the boys’ life, along with helping on the farm.

One of the highlights of his retirement was doing lay mission work in Haiti, Ecuador, Costa Rica and Brewton, Ala. Their world traveling continued throughout his life but fishing in Minnesota was still Arent’s life, even though he and Betty fished for marlin in Cabo, salmon in Alaska and accidently caught a barracuda while sailing in the Caribbean. In their winter home in Florida, golfing and shuffling took over with Arent acquiring his share of honors in both sports. Watching the Twins play was another of his pastimes which he rarely missed.

Arent was a praying Christian man and served his Lord with humble reverance.

Survivors are his wife, Betty, sons Daniel of Minnesota and Florida,Carl (Laura) of Hollandale, Jonathan (Jody) of Hollandale; sister Alice Godeke of Albert Lea; brother Peter (Audrey) of North Carolina; brothers-in-law Albert (Doris)Reynen, Willis (Joan) Reynen, John (Judy) Reynen; sisters-in-law Bernice (Marty) Ferwerda, Marjorie (Robert) Anderson, Jane (Larry) Suntkin; and many nieces and nephews, along with a host of friends.

Preceeding him in death are sons Jerry Thomas and Jonathan Lee, brother Gerrit Mondeel, granddaughter Jerri Mondeel, parents Jacob and Alice Mondeel, brother-in-law Bernie Godeke, sisters-in-law Antoinette Elbring and Hazel Reynen.

There will be a celebration of his life in June in the Hollandale Reformed Church in Hollandale.