Obituary of Arnold Pupols

Arnold Pupols, 91, town of Sigel, passed peacefully into eternal life Wednesday, June 4, 2014 at Ministry St. Joseph, with his family by his side. Arnold was born April 9, 1923 on a farm in the Liepaja region of Latvia to Fricis and Natalija (Strautins) Pupols. He completed a typical for the times 6th grade education and then went to work for a local farmer until 1941 when WWII reached Latvia. After the war he ended up in a displaced persons camp in Germany with many other refugees from Latvia and other eastern European countries that had fallen under Soviet Russian control. It was there that he met his future wife, Ella Kukainis, who had fled Latvia with her family. They were married August 9, 1946 and enjoyed 56 years together until her death in 2002. In 1949, sponsored by the Lutheran Church, they immigrated to the United States with two small children and Ella's brother and parents. After spending a winter in an old farm house by Necedah they moved to the town of Sherry where they farmed until 1978. Since then he has lived at his present address. Arnold also had a 34 year career at Wisconsin Rapids division of Consolidated, retiring in 1986. Arnold was a loving and generous husband, father, and grandfather. He was a long time member of Bethany Lutheran and Latvian Evangelical churches both of which he served in various capacities. A lifelong workaholic and farmer at heart his favorite activities were helping at his son's farm, gardening, and taking care of his yard. Arnold was a very sociable person and he never let his heavy Latvian accent keep him from talking to friends or strangers, even if it often meant repeating things twice. Arnold is survived by his daughter Gunta (Andy) Burgelis, town of Sigel; his son John (Jacki), town of Sherry; grandsons: Chris (fiancé Kamie) Pupols, Rudolph; Eric (Kristen) Pupols, Stevens Point; and a brother, Alberts, Van Couver, B.C. Arnold is also survived by his best friend and constant companion "Molly". He was preceded in death by his wife, his grandson Nicolas Pupols, his infant twin brother Artus, and his older brothers Fricis and Karlis. A Celebration of Arnold's Life will be held at Bethany Lutheran Church, town of Sigel, at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, June 11th. Reverend Joyce Heintz and prav. Lauma Zusevics will officiate. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery. Friends may call at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home and Cremation Center from 5 P.M. to 8 P.M. on Tuesday, June 10th and from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services on Wednesday at the church. The family would like to thank relatives, friends, neighbors, and fellow church members for their patience and kindness as Arnold's dementia started taking on an ever greater toll. We especially thank Joy Worlund for her excellent part time care giving. Online condolences may be expressed at www.taylorfuneralhome.net