Gustav Edward Arndt of Adrian, Missouri passed away March 18, 2022 at St. Joseph Hospital in Kansas City at the age of 85. A Celebration of Life will be held from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Saturday, April 30, 2022 at Frontier Village Center in Adrian, MO. Memorial contributions may be made to the Western Missouri Antique Tractor and Machinery Association.

Ed was born August 23, 1936 in Rich Hill, MO to Gustav Warner and Alma Blanche (Stucki) Arndt. He grew up on the family farm east of Adrian. Ed worked hard in the hay field, stacking hay in a hot barn, milking cows (by hand) and pulling cockleburs. He attended a small country school near his home and graduated from Adrian High School in 1954. He then started working at Mac McClellan's filling station. Working there is when he first saw the love of his life, Darlene Jadlot. Darlene would become his beloved wife on December 22, 1957. To this union three children were born - Lawanda Lea, Lea Ann & Douglas Edward.

Ed had a strong work ethic as seen throughout his life. He started working at Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) April 1955 and retired April 1995 after 40 years of dedicated service. After hours and on weekends, he would hay, tend to the cattle and plant row crop with the help of Darlene & the kids. He always had a big beautiful garden and nurtured his fruit trees. Sharing his "bounty" with friends and family made him happy. As if that did not keep him busy, he operated the motor grader for two different townships and was the caretaker for a couple of cemeteries. By 1990, grandkids started arriving. He loved having the grandkids over and attending their activities. Ed looked forward to the WMAT&MA show at the Frontier Village. Using his motor grader skills, he prepared the pulling track for the annual tractor pull. The highlight of the show was getting to pull his tractors and crawler against his friends and family! However, he had the biggest smile on his face when he used the tractor or crawler to pull the grandkids in the wagon during the parade of power. At the annual Frontier Village "Kids Day", Ed & Darlene would squeeze apples to make apple juice. Many a bushel was squeezed over the years. The kids would melt his heart when they asked questions and sampled his apple juice. He continued to hay and tend the cattle after his retirement until he was no longer able. By then the apple of his eye arrived, great granddaughter Sadie Lynn Mellenbruch. He loved having her stop by to "play" and see how much she had grown. Family meant everything to Ed. He was a very loving and dedicated husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.

Ed accepted Christ at a young age and was a member of the Adrian Christian Church for more than 65 years. He was one of the founding members of the Western Missouri Antique Tractor and Machinery Association.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Darlene and a daughter, Lea Ann. Left to mourn his loss is his daughter, Lawanda Engelhardt (Charles) and his son, Doug Arndt all of Adrian. Four grandchildren, Tiffany Mellenbruch (Cole) of Rich Hill, Andy Engelhardt of Fargo, ND & his fiancé Lauren Fink, Gus Arndt (Kristen) of Adrian and James Engelhardt of Springfield, MO and his friend Nina Beckham. One great granddaughter, Sadie Mellenbruch & a step great grandson, Lane Benedick. One brother, Don Arndt (Sue) and a sister, Judy Shubert (Claude) and a host of nieces, nephews & cousins.