Donald Joseph Arensdorf, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away on February 15, 2018, at the age of 87. Born on June 21, 1930 in Dubuque, Iowa, Don was the first child and only son of Reinhardt and Lucile Arensdorf. He grew up in Chicago, Illinois during the Big Band era and was drafted into the Marines on October 13, 1951 to serve in the Korean War. After being stationed at Camp Pendleton for two years, when the war ended he lived in Mexico City to learn Spanish and immerse in the culture. Returning to the states, he met a beautiful woman, Ada Irma Troncoso, at the Bank of America on Film Industry Row, Los Angeles, where he worked as a note teller. Don and Ada dated for 2 years and were married on November 8, 1958 in Saint Martha’s Catholic Church in Vernon, California. Together, Don and Ada raised 6 children. They doted on their family, sacrificing much for their well-being and always spending their time together as a family. Don worked in credit management for most of his life and always demonstrated a strong work ethic. He was a dedicated and loyal family man, always found with his wife and children at home or in church. A faithful Catholic, he served as a Eucharistic Minister and participant in Cursillo. Don was a talented musician, playing the guitar and singing in mass for many years at Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini Church in Los Angeles and later in life singing in the “5th Dementia” Choir. A well- read and intellectual man, he greatly enjoyed discussing politics, was a lifelong Democrat and a huge Lakers fan. A gentleman, he exemplified kindness, humility, and compassion for those less fortunate, always speaking up for the rights of those suffering from injustice. In the last decade of his life, Don unfortunately suffered from Alzheimer’s disease; yet, through it all, he remained the sweet, loving family man his family adored. Don is survived by his devoted wife and caregiver, Ada, their 6 children (Luz Maria Dempsey, John Arensdorf, Teresa Barth, James Arensdorf, Gabriela Mafi & Elena Vazquez), 15 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren and his sister Judith. His life will be celebrated at a funeral mass at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in Long Beach on Saturday, March 3rd at 9:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to OPICA (
http://www.opica.org/donate-now/
), an organization devoted to assisting individuals Alzheimer’s that was of great assistance to Don in his later years.
