Cecilia P. Arndt

Cecilia “Pat” (Olson) Arndt, beloved mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, grandmother, and friend passed away peacefully on March 9, 2025, at the age of 85. Born on March 17, 1939, in Omaha, Nebraska, Pat filled her life with love, laughter, and unforgettable moments that touched everyone around her.

Pat met her husband, Jim, at Tech High School and their relationship blossomed. They were married on June 25, 1960, at Holy Cross Catholic Church and built a life filled with love, joy, and devotion. Together, they created a warm and nurturing home, where family was always the heart of everything. They welcomed their son, Jim, on April 30, 1961, their daughter, Cindy, on July 30, 1963, and their son, Tim, on March 7, 1966. Pat’s love for her children was boundless; she took immense pride in watching them grow and thrive. Whether attending school events, games, or special milestones, she was always their biggest supporter, cheering them on every step of the way.

Pat lived a life full of love, kindness, and simple joys. She was always surrounded by friends, whether at her monthly Bunco group, volunteering at Lauritzen Gardens, or bowling in her weekly ladies’ league at Leopard Lanes. Saturdays were reserved for breakfast with her lady group at Village Inn, and she attended church on Sunday mornings, a tradition she deeply cherished.

After retiring from Union Pacific, Pat kept herself busy cleaning houses around the lake, not just for extra money but because she loved staying active and helping others. She had a special way of making everyday moments meaningful—like her daily walks around the lake, where she stopped to pet every dog and always had treats in her pockets. Her love for animals was only matched by her love for flowers, which she cared for meticulously.

Pat had a few favorite things that made her uniquely her. Ketchup was her go-to for everything, and she always had a candy dish filled with hard candies, especially Dum Dums lollipops. She loved country music and oldies, celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with extra enthusiasm (as it was also her birthday), and loved having her nails painted in her favorite shade of blue.

Some fond memories include the scent of lilacs in the spring at the house on Betty Street, where she would have flowers picked and placed in a vase before school, filling the home with their fragrance. She also cherished the Sunday breakfast tradition that she and Jim shared at the Lodge, where they sat at the same table with the same friends every week.

Above all, Pat had a rare and beautiful gift—everyone who met her absolutely loved her. She had a warmth and kindness that made people feel special, and her presence brightened every room. Though she is no longer with us, her love, laughter, and spirit will remain in our hearts forever.

Pat is preceded in death by her husband: James N. Arndt; parents: Marvin P. Olson, Sr and Cecilia V. (Cherek) Olson; sister: Shirley (Olson) Gros Louis and brother: Marvin P. Olson.

She is survived by brother: Robert Olson; children: James (Angella) Arndt, Cindy (Matt) Deiber, and Tim (Tina) Arndt; grandchildren: Michael, Alexandria (Jobure), Andy, Braxton, Carlyee, and Ben; great-grandchildren: Khailya and Kiyan.

Visitation Tuesday 4:00 - 6:00 PM at Roeder Mortuary Gretna Chapel; Funeral Mass 10:30 AM THURSDAY(3/20/2025)(*DATE CHANGE for Mass only*) at St. Matthew Catholic Church 12330 South 36th Street Bellevue, NE 68123 with Luncheon to follow.

Memorials to Dementia Society of America.

Scan QR code for directions to the church.

Roeder Mortuary, Inc. - Gretna Chapel - 11710 Standing Stone - Gretna, NE - 402-332-0090

www.RoederMortuary.com