Mass of Christian Burial for Arnold Fast age 93 of West Point, NE will be on Wednesday, November 30, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in West Point, NE. Interment with military honors will be in the St. Michael's Cemetery, with a luncheon to follow at the Nielsen Community Center. Visitation will be on Tuesday from noon to 7:00 p.m., with the family present from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the Minnick Funeral Home in West Point. There will be a public vigil service at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials be directed to St. Francis Memorial Hospital or St. Francis Hospice.
Arnold passed away on Saturday, November 26, 2016 at the Hooper Care Center in Hooper, NE.
Arnold Fast was born on November 1, 1923 at Parker, SD to Gerhardt and Mary (Unhur) Fast. He grew up in Parker, SD until the age of 16, at which time he moved to Carroll, IA to find work. Arnold served in the U.S. Navy from March 8, 1945 to June 28, 1946.
On January 7, 1947, he was united in marriage to Jessie Klocke at Dedham, IA. The couple lived in Omaha, while Arnold attended Barber School and upon completion of his schooling they moved to Beemer. He operated Arnold’s Barber Shop for 35 years in Beemer, NE. He also remodeled and built several homes in Beemer in his spare time. Arnold was very active in the Beemer Community, serving on the Beemer Fire and Rescue squads, serving as President of the Commercial Club, and served as chairman of the Building Committee for the Beemer Housing Authority. He also had served as Trustee for Holy Cross Catholic Church. He was currently a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Beemer American Legion Post #159 and West Point V.F.W. Post #4912.
Arnold was always the prankster all the way to the end. He also was a loving caregiver to Jessie as she dealt with her illness. Upon retiring, Arnold embroidered a set of dish towels for each of the grandchildren, later for the children to curb their jealously, and also for all the great grandchildren.
Arnold’s family includes-
Daughter-Joyce Ann (deceased) and husband Bob Markworth of Omaha, NE and family-
Sean and wife Jennifer Kelley and children-Owen, Kate and Aly
Jenny Kelley and daughter-Samantha
Daughter- Janice and husband Rod Balak of Colorado Springs, CO and family-
Bryan Balak and children-Emma and Julia
Scott and Kari Balak and children-Zach, Alex and Anna
Daughter- Betty and husband Ed Waechter of Payson, AZ and son-
Nathan Waechter
Son-Ray and wife Roxann Fast of West Point, NE and family-
Christy Fast
David and Bethany Fast
Danny Fast
Daughter-Shirley and husband Larry Kreikemeier of Fremont, NE and family-
Melanie and Matt Mueller and children-Jaxson and Kennedy
Adam and Penny Kreikemeier and children-Grace, Isaac and Eli
Stephanie and Andrew Brei and children-Anderson, Easton and Ellie
Two surviving brothers-Rudy Fast and Henry Fast
His in-laws-Maxine McFarland, Helen Johnson, Lorraine and Bill Gettler, Lambert and Donna Klocke, Jerry and Betty Klocke, Ronald and Joleen Klocke, Jim and Louann Klocke, Larry and Pat Klocke, Sharon and Eldon Wright, Wayne and Carol Klocke, Donna and Ken Lowe, and Marlene and Jim Wille.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Arnold Fast, please visit our
Heartfelt Sympathies Store.
