Ella Plank - “From Tragedy to Peace: Profile of Kathy Arenz”

From Tragedy to Peace: Profile of Kathy Arenz

Life can bring many tragedies, it often can be difficult to find a way to navigate your way through these tragedies. However, while experiencing tragedies throughout life, you should not try to ignore them. Instead, you should surround yourself with happiness and positive people. This is exactly what Kathy Arenz does when she faces tragedies in her life.

Arenz grew up in Peru, Neb. along with her two sisters, brother and parents. She went on to marry her first husband at the age of 18. After marriage, she was fortunate enough to be able to attend college for two years at the University of Nebraska Omaha. After receiving her degree in business, she went on to become a secretary. She believes that she was successful as a secretary because of her determination.

Arenz and her husband were excited to start a life together and they got to experience happiness together for a few years, but then tragedy struck. Arenz’s husband unexpectedly passed away. This was her first tragedy that she faced in her life and she had to find a way to cope with it. However, Arenz did not know that she would face even more tragedies and that this was just the beginning.

Arenz continued with her life despite her tragedy and went on to marry Chuck Arenz a few years later. The two of them were blessed to have two beautiful children, Susan and David. “I loved every minute of being a mother, and I was very blessed to have two wonderful children,” Arenz said. Arenz’s children grew up and were starting their own lives, but then she experienced another tragedy and this one was

By J1 Reporter Ella Plank

even harder to face.

David, Arenz’s son, had passed away from a brain tumor at the young age of 24. This was very unexpected and challenged Arenz to find support. She found this support in her religion and through volunteering. Arenz had grown up in a Christian family, however, they were not very involved in the Church.

Arenz believes that her faith brought her happiness and hope for the future through the tragedies she has experienced. “I was tested so many times in my life which taught me to rely on my faith for almost everything,” she said. Arenz along with Chuck attended church together on a weekly basis and their faith was strengthened after their son had passed away. Unfortunately, Chuck passed away due to Parkinson’s disease and a broken hip in 2015.

Arenz started to volunteer on a weekly basis at the Siena Francis House after her son had passed away in 1981. She started volunteering at the Siena Francis House when it was located in a walk-out bar. She watched the Siena Francis House grow into a bigger organization with many different facilities. Originally, the Siena Francis House was simply just an overnight shelter for women in 1975. However, it now provides a kitchen, dining room, cleaning room, heat room and many other facilities for people in need.

The Sienna Francis House invites all people in need and provides them with shelter and words of encouragement. She believes that the Siena Francis House filled a certain place in her heart after her son had passed.

Arenz went on to be a grandmother to two and a great grandmother to four. She finds joy in the faces of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her grandchildren live in Omaha also, so she often gets to see them regularly. “It is cool to see your family and loved ones in multiple generations because not that many people get to experience that,” Arenz said.

Arenz is most proud of her grandchildren in her life because they strived to get an education and a job that provides for their family. She finds inspiration in Emily, her grandchild, because of her dedication. Emily is always there to support and help Arenz whenever she needs a hand and she is very grateful to have a granddaughter like Emily in her life.

Despite the tragedies she has faced in life, Arenz has found pure happiness. She believes that she was able to find this happiness because of her faith in God. This pure happiness involves spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Tragedies can often be hard to overcome, but along with tragedies comes gratefulness for the life you have in that present moment.

“I was tested so many times in my life which taught me to rely on my faith for almost everything.”