Arden A. Graveen, 84, Wausau, passed away at the Tomah VA Medical Center on Thursday, March 28, 2024.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11am on Saturday, April 13th at Trinity Lutheran Church, Wausau, where a visitation will be from 9:30am until service time. Rev. Jim Mayland will officiate. Music will be provided by Matt Hoehne. Military Honors provided by the Wausau American Legion Post 10 will follow outside the church.

Art was born on September 9, 1939 in Wausau to Adolph and Sylvia (Prast) Graveen. He attended Trinity Lutheran School in Wausau as a child and later Wausau High School. In November 1956, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps for three years where he excelled as a marksman. While in the service he had worked as a wireman stationed in Sasebo, Japan and later as an MP.

Following his honorable discharge he met and married Marilyn Luedtke in Wausau February 10, 1961 and they honeymooned in South Dakota, kickstarting a lifelong passion for travel. In January 1962 Art found a job with the Wausau city fire department as firefighter and mechanic, retiring June 29, 1990 after 28½ years. He had first sought to be a police officer, "But when he went to the courthouse to take the test, he saw many people in line for the same thing, and only two people waiting for the firefighters' exam. He quickly changed his mind and became the first firefighter hired for the newly built central fire station at Grand Avenue and Thomas Street.".

After his retirement, Art and Mary bought a camper and traveled throughout the lower 48 states. Avid fans of bluegrass music, they would often plan their trips around music festivals. During this time, he had learned to play guitar; a skill he greatly enjoyed. Also an accomplished gunsmith and collector of antique rifles, he was a mainstay at local Civil War reenactments. Arden took pride in his hobbies, and when he sought to do something he did it well: his firearms were accurately machined and historical uniforms period-correct. A mechanic by trade, he periodically reminisced on a Model-A Ford he owned years ago that he was proud to have restored. Later on he found joy building model airplanes and companionship in the cats that he and Marilyn brought into their home.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary; son Quince (Melody) Graveen of Alachua, FL; grandsons Dan (Noelle) Graveen of Wausau, Adam (Becky) Graveen of Marshfield, and Phil (Ashley) Graveen of Rib Mountain; and great-grandchildren Michael & Annabelle of Wausau, and Kahlan & Emmet of Marshfield. He is further survived by his brother Arnold (Carol) Graveen of Minocqua, nephew Josh (Lisa) Graveen of Stratford, and niece Cheryl Graveen of Minocqua.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and daughter-in-law Kathryn Graveen.

The family sends their deep appreciation to the Tomah VA staff, who took such great care of Art during his long stay there.

Condolences may be sent online at www.rembsfh.com